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COL 



IZATION SOCIETY; 



AND ON 



ITS £>3ElOBAB£ilS HHSUJLTS; 



UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADS I 

Tilt Origin of the Society ,- Increase of the Coloured Population ; Manumis- 
sion of Slaves in this country; 

DECLARATIONS OF LEGISLATURES, AND OTHER ASSEMBLED BODIES, IN FAVOUR 

OF THE SOCIETY; 

SITUATION OP THE COLONISTS AT MONROVIA, AND OTHER TOWNS ; MORAL AND RELI- 
GIOUS CHARACTER OF THE SETTLERS ; SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUC- 
TIONS, AND COMMERCE OF LIBERIA ; 

ADVANTAGES TO THE FREE COLOURED POPULATION, BY EMIGRATION TO LIBERIA ; DISADVANTAGES OF SLAVERY TO 

THE WHITE POPULATION ; CHARACTER OF THE NATIVES OF AFRICA BEFORE THE IRRUPTIONS OF 

THE BARBARIANS ; EFFECTS OF COLONIZATION ON THE SLAVE TRADE; WITH A 

SLIGHT SKETCH OF THAT NEFARIOUS AND ACCURSED TRAFFIC. 



ADDRESSED TO THE HON. C. F. MERCER, M, H. R. U. S. 



BY M. CAREY. 



SEVENTH EDITION. 



" Nearly two thousand persons have kindled a beacon fire at Monrovia, to cast a bread blaze of light into the 
dark recesses of that benighted land; and though much pains have been taken to overrate the cost, and under- 
value the results, yet the annals of colonization may be triumphantly challenged for a parallel. 

" Five years of preliminary operations were requisite for surveying the coast — propitiatiiig the natives — and 
selecting the most eligible site. Numerous agents were subseiiuently employed— ships chartered — the coast 
cleared — schools, factories, hospitals, churches, government buildings, and (hvellings erected— and the many ex- 
penses requisite here, were defrayed; — and yet, for every tifty dollars expended by the society from its commence- 
ment, we have not only a settler to show, but an ample and i'erlile turritury in reserve, where our future emi- 
grants may 'sit down under their own vines and fig-trees, with none to make them afraid.' During the last 
year, an amount, nearly equal to the united expenditures, has been exported by the colonists. From Philadelphia 
alone, eleven vessels have sailed; three of them chartered through the efforts of the Pennsylvania Society, and 
bearing to the land of their fathers, a large number of slaves, manumitted by the benevolence of their Intc 
owners." — Cresson. 



PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 15, 1833. 



STEREOTYPED BY L. J0nN30N. 



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Z.Town hmihtujiitidrtef 

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J. iVewJijmiy house. 
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JIEFE RENCK S. 

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ON THE 



COLONIZATION SOCIETY; 



AND ON 



ITS FROBABZiZS RESULTS; 

UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADS: 

The Origin of the Society; Increase of the Coloured Population; Manumis. 
sion of Slaves in this country; 

DECLARATIONS OF LEGISLATURES, AND OTHER ASSEMBLED BODIES. IN FAVOUR 

OF THE SOCIETY; 

SITUATION OP THE COLONISTS AT MONROVIA. AND OTHER TOWNS; MORAL AND REI 1 

GIOUS CHARACTER OF THE SETTLERS; SOIL. CLIMATE. PRODUC 

TIONS. AND COMMERCE OP LIBERIA ; 

ADVAI^AGES TO THE FREE COLOURED POPULATION. BY EMIGRATION TO LIBERIA; DISADVANTAGES OP SLAVERT TO 

THE WHITE POPULATION; CHARACTER OF THE NATIVES OF AFRICA BEFORE THE IR^^PT^Ls op 

THE BARBARIANS; EFFECTS OF COLONIZATION ON THE SLAVE TRADE- V?ITH A 

SLIGHT SKETCH OF THAT NEFARIOUS AND ACCURSED TRAFFIC. 

ADDRESSED TO THE HON. C. F. MERCER, M. H. R. U. S. 



BY M. CAREY. 

); 



SEVENTH EDITION. 

penses requisite here, were defrVed -Ind m foreverv fiftv^ ollnrf Iv "'^ ' TL'":f '^«cte,l-and the many ei- 
ment, we have not only a settler to show but an amDie and I fl. ?='P«"'^*'''.''y ^'"^ ^"^'ety from its commence- 
grants may 'sit down under their ow vines LdV^^rPo.wi.i^n^ torntory .n reserve, where our future emi- 
year, an amount, nearly equal to thruniterpxnpnrtf;,?„^^^^ "°'"' '" '"''^'' ""'■" ^'■"'d." During the last 

aloae, eleven vessels Aa//S th L of them d a^^^^^^^^^^^ VH' '^"'"'"''- ^'''"^ ^'"'"'^^'M'^ 

bearing to the land of their fatherra lar^P nnrnhpr^Tf II^^^^^ '*'•' Pennsylvania Society, and 

9wner8."-Crmo». lamers, a large number of slaves, manumitted by the benevolence of their late 

PHILADELPHIA, APRIL Ify, 1833. 

STEREOTYPED BY L. JOaNSON. 



ADDENDUM TO THE FIFTH EDITION., ^- ^ 



EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS OF THE AMERICAN COLOmZATION SOCIETY, dYtEDJUNE, 1832. 



"Africa makes her appeal to our sympathy, 
and charity, in a tone of earnestness and distress, 
to which we are bound to listen, and w uch the 
Board trust cannot be resisted. It is along her 
dark shores, and over her immense but unculti- 
vated fields, that the Society will dispense its 
richest blessings. What a night of gloom and 
terror has settled, for ages, on her land! Her 
immense population covered with barbarism 
Eiven up as prey to outrage and violence cursed 
bv a traffic which has set brother against brother, 
desolated families and villages, excited the worst 
passions of savage nature, ruthlessly sundered all 
the ties of kindred and affection, and, seizing with 
merciless and unyielding grasp its bleeding and 
broken-hearted victims, borne them crowded and 
crushed and dying into foreign and hopeless bon- 
dage ' And even now, when her cries have 
pierced the heart of Christendom, when states and 
kingdoms have legislated and united to put an 
end to her sufferings, still torn, plundered, and 
robbed of her children by the pirates of all nations ; 
she stretches out her hands and casts an implor- 
ing eye towards the friends of God and man, in 
this free and blessed country, for that deliverance 
which she has looked for in vain to all the world 

" But it is asked, will the ignorant and degraded 
men of colour of this country become the best 
missionaries to enlighten and regenerate Africa . 
To this we reply, that there are men of colour 
in the U. S. who are well informed and exem- 
plary Christians ; that such as these have founded 
our present African Colony, that the very work 
to which they are called will devclope their 
powers, and give elevation to their character, and 
finally, that plans for education and improvement 
commensurate with the necessities of every settle- 
ment which may be made, enter essentially into 
the views of this Society. 

" If in a little more than two centuries, our own 
country has, by colonization, been changed from 
a wilderness into a fruitful field, if a free and en- 
lightened Nation of thirteen inillKms has sprung 
up here, where but laU-ly, the wolf and savage 
roamed unmolested amid boundless forcts, where 
nature looked wild and rude as they ; if beautilul 
villages, and populous cities. Halls ot Legislation, 
magnificent edifices, temples of justice, and a 
thousand churches stand before us the monu- 
ments of our greatness ; what may we not antici- 
pate for Africa from the settlement ot civilized 
and Christian men upon her shores 1 And by 
whom can such settlements be so well founded 
as by the free i)eoi.lo of colour of the United 
States'? Dues not Providence clearly invite 
them to a work of unex;unpled promise, to llieir 
posterity and mankind! And is not this 
nation urged to assist them by the same Provi- 
dence, not less manifestly, and by motives as 
numerous and great as ever wrought upon the 
human mind. 

" The Managers appeal to the clergy oi every 
denomination, and invit»;ttl>8BM WWwH ly. »" ""^ 

i W .-', v^ i _ /., r. 
1"^ CXa^ A-U 




near the day consecrated to the memory of om 
Independence, to bring the claims of the Society 
l)efore their people, and to receive, in further- 
ance of its object, such free-will oflerings .as 
gratitude to God and love to men may incline 
them to bestow. o • • 

" They appeal to the Auxiliary Societies, and 
urge them to come forward with increased power 
to "the work, to assist in forming other kindred 
associations, and by widely ditfusing information, 
to excite the whole American community, duly 
to consider and promote the cause. 

" To their fair country-women, who are ever 
first to feel for the wretched, and foremost to ad- 
minister relief, whose moral influence in society, 
though their own modesty may undervalue it, 
humanity and religion acknowledge lobe of vast 
power and unspeakable worth, Africa, darker m 
her mournhig than her consplexion, offers in 
silent grief, her plea, which it were impossible 
to render more convincing by argument, or 
touching by eloquence. She looks to American 
benevolence as to that in which all her precious 
hopes are treasured up, and for their fulfilment, 
nature itself will plead more strongly than we 
can, in every female heart. 

" Nor would the Managers omit to say to those 
who control the public press, that almost omni- 
potent engine for moving human minds to ac- 
tion that to them belongs the po-.ver of securing 
to the design o{ this Society, the amplest means 
for its .speedy consummation. Let every Lditor 
in the country feel himself responsible, to make 
known throughout the limits of his influence, 
the views, operrtions and success of the Society, 
and that which it has been attempting m weak- 
iH'SS will be done with ])ower, that which pri- 
vate' charity has so well commenced, be com- 
pleted by the bounty of the States and the Na- 
tion. , , , -. 

" In concluding this address, the Managers 
be- leave to say, that not less than one thousand 
eiuiorants are now seeking a passage to Liberia ; 
that the Colony is prepared to receive them ; 
that funds only are wanting to enable the Society 
to prosecute its enterprise on a larger scale; and 
that all which can appeal to our interests, en- 
courage our hopes, or move our hearts to charity 
now commends the cause of African Loloniza- 
tion to the alfection and liberality ot our coun- 
trymen. Nor will they, the Managers are per- 
suaded, remain insensible to the merits of this 
cause Every where meet us the indications ot 
its growing i>opularitv. Justice and Compassion, 
Mercv and Charily, have gone forth in iellow 
ship, "to pleach for it, and the Managers trust in 
the urcat Author of all good to send finth his 
I spirit to their aid-that Spirit— under whose di- 
vine illuminations and all-gracious but all sub- 
duing energies, men of every country and condi- 
tion shall finally rejoice in peace Hiui love, shar- 
ers in unity, of the same faith, and of the same 
hope of the great and common salvaiion. 

Fhiladelplaa, Sept. 7, 1832. 



PREFACE. 



<3v Prom the ardent opposition made to the 
^ Colonization Society by some cf our white 
citizens, and by a number of the free coloured 
^ population, it might be supposed, by those un- 
<fi acquainted with the nature of the case, that 
*^ the emigrants were absolutely pressed, lilce 
Britisli seamen, and hurried off against their 
inclinations — tiiat tiiey were here in the en- 
joyment of all tlie solid advantages of society, 
each man " sitting under his own vine and 
his fig tree, and none to make liim afraid," — 
that in Liberia, they were to bs, in some de- 
gree, enslaved — and that the climate was pes- 
tilential, and the soil sterile and ungrateful. 
Were this a true picture of the case, the op- 
position to the Society could not be more ar- 
dent ur zealous. 

Having treated on the situation cf the free 
coloured population of this country, (p. 27,) 
we shall not, therefore, refer to it here : but so 
far as regards tlie colony at Liberia, it is 
proved, by evidence of tlie most undeniable 
character — of American Captains, Kennedy, 
Sherman, Nicholson, and Abels; by that of 
Mr. Devany, a coloured man. High Sheriff 
of Liberia, who had been in the colony for six- 
years, made a handsome fortune, and returned 
to this country to vit,it his friends and i-ela- 
tions; — and more especially by that of a com- 
mittee of the colonists at Monrovia, appointed 
to draw up an address to their brethren in 
this country ; that the project of colonization 
has fully realized, and not merely realized, 
but exceeded the most sanguine expectations 
formed of it by its ardent supporters ; that the 
contrast between the situation of the colonists 
and that of tlicir brethren in this country, is 
immensely in favour of the former ; and that 
the condition of the most favoured of the free 
coloured population here, is inferior in many 
important particulars, to that of the great 
mass of the colonists, any one of whom may, 
by good behaviour, aspire to the highest office 
in the colony, and in elections, has as free 
a voice as iVIr. Madison or Mr. Adams has, 
in the election of state and United States' 
officers. 

It is, therefore, difficult to conceive what 
good purpose can be answered by the opposi- 
tion to the plan of colonization, or by what 
motive its o])posers can be influenced. 

There are three strong points of view, in 
which this subject may be considered, whicli 
must gain for colonization the zealous and 
efficient support of every man, white or co- 
loured, who is not uniler the dominion of in- 
veterate and incurable prejudice. I omit 
other important points, which might be 
mooted. 

L The colony has arrested the progress of 
the nefarious and accursed slave trade in its 
neighbourhood ; destroyed some slave factories, 
and liberated a number of slavf s, who were on 
the point of being transported across the Atlan- 



tic, subject to all the horrors of the passage, 
and, if they escaped with life, to the horrors of 
perpetual slavery ; and there cannot be a 
doubt, tlint at no distant day, the trade will 
be annihilated on the whole of the western 
coast of Africa. 

n. It lias been tlie means of securing the 
emancipation of hundreds of slaves, in various 
parts of the United States, who are now in a 
genial climate, enjoying the luxury of free- 
dom with all its attendant blessings ; and. from 
the present disposition of the citizens of some 
of the slave states, particularly Virginia, there 
is no doubt that thousands will be emancipa- 
ted, as fast as means of transportation can be 
procured. 

III. It has commenced spreading the bless- 
ings of civilization, morals, and religion 
among the natives in the neighbourhood of 
the colony, whom it has taught to depend on 
jjonest industry in the cultivation of the soil, 
instead of the demoniac operation of setting 
fire to towns and villages, for the horrible 
purpose of seizing the wretched fugitives fly- 
ing from the flames, which was tlieir former 
occupation. 

Now I freely appeal to Mr. Garrison, and 
Mr. Lundy, the most formidable opposers of 
colonization, and to tlieir friends, and beg 
them to lay their hands on their hearts, and 
answer in the presence of their Maker, if 
any one of those objects does not repay ten 
fold the sacrifice which the whole have cost ? 

Among the objections — how easy to make 
plausible objections ! — offered to the coloni- 
zation plan, one is, that considering the im- 
mense number of the coloured people in this 
country, about 2,400,000, it is impossible to 
make any serious impression on them by 
emigration ; especially as the colony at pre- 
sent, after twelve years existence, contains 
but 2,700 souls. Let us examine this ob- 
jection. 

The annual increase, as 1 have siiown, is 
about 60,000. We will suppose the object 
is, to keep the numbers to the present stand- 
ard, which would be a great point gained. 
I'he expense to the government, or the So- 
ciety, will probably be $25 per head, ibr all 
the emigrants, large and small, (taking into 
consideration those who pay, or whose masters 
will pay their passage,) or about ^1,500,000 
per annum, for that number. This sum, pro- 
vided the subject were cordially taken irj) by 
the state legislatures and congress, would 
not be attended with the slightest difh'culty. 
Indeed, if encountered with the zeal v.hich 
its importance demands, twice the sum could 
be easily raised. But tlien the objectors en>- 
pbatically demand, how shall we provide for 
the transportation of such a number 1 

It appears from Walsh's Sketches of Bra- 
zil, that there have been as many as 100,000 
of the wretched nesrroes ravished from their 



PREFACE. 



native land in one year. If fJie wretches en- 
gaged in that nefarious traffic could find 
means of transporting 1(X),000 human beings 
in one year across the Atlantic, surely this 
powerful nation could, to accomplish the 
great objects in view, and to rescue itself by 
degrees from the odious stam of slavery, ac- 
complish the conveyance of 60, or oven 
100,000 to a land where they will be "lords 
of the soil." 60 or 70,000 persons have emi- 
grated in one year from Great Britain and 
Ireland. 

It is asked, how shall provision be made for 
such a number in Liberia '! they will perish 
for want of sustenance ! 

Can there exist any fear on this subject, 
when the soil of Liberia produces two re- 
gular crops a year, witii the most imperfect 
culture 1* 

Philadelphia, April 20, 1832. 

— ►...►© ® ®4<«— 

P. S As this page was about to be put to press, 
the following interesting statement was handed to- 
the writer, wlio avails liimself of a chasm here, to 
insert it, as a proof li»at sounder and more favoura- 
ble views of the Sofiet)', and of the situation of the 
colony, prevail in Charleston than among some of 
the coloured people here. 

" On the 6th of December, 1831, there was a meet- 
ing held in Charleston, of a number of coloured 
people, lor the purpose of taking into consideration 
the propriety of emigrating to Liberia. The Chair- 
man, Junius Eden, after slating the object, observed 
'i'he inhabitania invite us to come and possess the 
land, to assist them to infuse into the natives, notions 
of pure morality, and to erect temples dedicated to 
the worship of Jehovah, where the injured sons of 
Africa may enter, and with united voices raise me- 
lodious songs of praise to Heaven' s Eternal King.' 
He said that no sacrifice was too great to be made 
here in order to secure for ourselves and our chil- 
dren the blessings of social happiness in Afnca, and 
concluded by calling on other members of the meet- 
ing to express their sentiments. 

" Charles Henry then arose and said, ' Africa, the 
land of our fathers, although surrounded wiih 
clouds of darkness, seems to me to be extending her 
arms towards us as her only hope of relief, and call- 

*The first edition of this pamphlet, which was 
distributed gratnitously, wholly at the expense of 
tne writer, was published Dec. 31, 1831. Two edi- 
tions, of 7000 copies, and one at Hartford in Con- 
necticut, have since been published, and it is now 
stereotyped, and disposed of at the mere cost of pa- 
per and printing, (85 per 100 copies,) in order to give 
It general circulation, in the hope of promoting a 
(Deneficenl undertaking, which the writer consci- 
entiously lielieves, hardly yields in importance to 
any agitated in this country, since the establi.<hment 
of the present couslitution. The Theological So- 
ciety of Princeton, impressed wilh the same opinion 
on the subject as the writer, purchased 1000 copies 
— the Parent Colonization Society 1000 — and aljove 
30 patriotic individuals 100 each, and some 200 co- 
pies. These (lattering tc^siiiiioniiils in its fiivoiir, 
affi)rd tb(! writer the very higii gratification to be- 
lieve that his labours in this t:auso have not been 
La vain. 



ing on us loudly for help — saying, ' I struggle for 
light and for liberty, and call upon you by the 
manes of your ancestors, to come to my help and 
YOUR righljid possession. Tarry then not, but 
come over and dispel the darluiess from your be- 
nigiited land. Come, and inspire us by your exam 
pie with sentiments of virtue, and wiih a love of 
the duties taught by the meek and lowly Jesus. 
Come and erect altai-s,and light ihem with the pure 
fire of devotion to the only living and true God. 
Come and enforce the empire ol' reasim, truth, and 
Christianity over our benighted minds. Be no 
longer as a sentinel a.'^leep at your post ; desert not 
your own people and the country of your aiicestm-s.' 
Mr. Henry concluded by submitting the following 
preamble and resolutions, wliich were unanimously 
adopted. 

" Whereas it will be unworthy of us as descend- 
ants of Africa, if after the bright and inspiring pross- 
pects which are held out to us of lulieriting the laud 
of our fathers, we let go, by supine negligence, the 
opportunity now offered by the Colonization Society 
of accepting the mviiation of our brethren in Libe- 
ria to inherit and enjoy alike with them a land, not 
obtained by the harrowing price of blood and 
treachery, but by the unsjwtted gift of heaven to 
our ancestors. 'Thcrcfbre 

" Resolved, That Ave take the Bible for our chart, 
with a full supply of love, hope, and faith, and 
leave the land that gave us birth, and emigrate to 
Liberia, in Alrica, the land of our ancestors, there 
to spend the remnant of our days, in peace and har- 
mony. 

'• Resolved, Thr.l we go to Africa as Harbingers of 
Peace in the fiilnesw of the blessing of the Gospel ol 
Christ, and determinail, by every virtuous deed, to 
set such examples as shall be worthy of the Chris- 
tian name. 

" Resolved, That we who compose this meeting, 
placing our only reliance in an All-wise Providence, 
and supi)licating his guidance and direction in our 
affairs, do solemnly in his presence, pledge our faith 
to each other, that we will live in Africa in union 
and brotherly love as one family. And that they 
who shall reach Africa first, shall select suitable 
lands for the remainder ; and that we will mutually 
assist each other, and afford, when needed, both spir- 
itual and temporal aid ; and in case of the death of 
the heads of fhmilies, the surviving members shall 
foster and afliird the family of the deceased every 
possible relief. 

" Resolved, That our motives fer leaving the place 
that gave us birth, are honourable, just and right; 
and for the purity of our intentions, we appeal to 
the Judge of all the earth. And taking His word for 
our standard, we will not harbour or encourage any 
desieiis that may tend to disturb the peace and har- 
moiiy of this state, or by any means alienate the af- 
fections of our brethren who are held as property, 
from their subordinate channel. 

" Refolird, That as soon as our affairs can be 
brought h) a close, we will make application to be 
conveyed to Liberia." 

N. B. Major Barlvaur, a coloured man, who resided 
ahout seven years in Liberia, where he has left his 
family, and where he intends to return, is now in 
this city. He was a member of the committee which 
drew up the address to the coloured people of the 
U. S. which is to be seen in p. 20, and which draws 
such a very flattering picture of the situation of the 
colony and of the coloiu sts. 

riuladelphia, June, 1832. 



LETTERS, &0, 



LETTER L 

The Southampton Massacre.— Difference be- 
tween the State of Slavery in Greece and 
Rome, and in the United States.— Various 
Plans of ColonizatiGn.— Objects of the 
Colonization Society. 

TO THE HON. CHARLES FENTON MERCER. 

Dear Sir,— The tragical issue of the insur- 
rection in Southampton, in which above sixty 
whites fell a sacrifice to the vengeance of their 
slaves, and subsequently to which, a great num- 
ber of slaves suffered the penalties of the vio- 
lated laws of the state, has awakened the slave 
states out of their slumbers, and excited con- 
siderable attention towards our coloured popu- 
lation, and the awful consequences that may 
ensue, sooner or later, from the admixture of 
two heterogeneous castes in tlie country, with- 
out the least probability, at any future period, 
however remote, of an amalgamation between 
them, in consequence of the diversity of colour. 

In this respect our situation is widely differ- 
ent from that of Greece or Rome. The great 
mass of their slaves were of the same colour 
as their masters, and a complete amalgamation 
might take place in a generation or two. — 
Against such a result, there is in this country, 
an insuperable barrier. 

This subject had occupied the attention cf 
some of tlie wisest and best men of the coun- 
try, for above half a century. Several attempts 
were made in different provinces before the re- 
volution, to prevent the importation of slaves, 
and acts were passed for tlie purpose ; but they 
were uniformly rejected by the governors, un- 
der inotructions from the British privy council 
—or by that council when the acts were trans- 
mitted for roval approbation. So early as 1772, 
the house of burgesses of Virginia, unanimously 
agreed upon an address to the king of Great 
Britain, praying him "to remove those re- 
straints on the governors of the colony, which 
inhibited them from assenting to such laws as 
might check so very pernicious a commerce." 

" The importation of slaves into the colonies, from 
the coasts of Africa, has long been considered as a 
trade of great inhumanity, and under its encourage- 
ment, we have too much reason to fear, will en- 
danger THE VERY EXISTENCE OF YOUR MAJESTY'S 

American dominions. 

" We are sensible that some of your majesty s 
subjects in Great Britain, may reap emolument from 
this sort of traffic ; bnt when we consider that U 
greatltf retards the seillement of the colonies with more 
white inhahitants, and may, in time, have the most de- 
structive influence, we presume to hope, that the m- 
terests of a few will be disregarded, when placed m 
competition with the security and happiness of such 
numbers of your majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects." 

This and various other efforts were entirely 
fruitless. The trade remained mirestrained 
until the declaration of independence, when 
Virginia and some other states prohibited it 
altogether. 

Unforttmately, the sound sentiments m ex- 



plicitly expressed by the burgesses of Virginia, 
in 1772, were forgotten, or had lost their inflii 
ence m 1787, when the federal constitution was 
formed. By that instrument congress was pro- 
hibited from passing laws to prevent the im- 
portation of slaves for twenty years ! A courtly 
style was employed. It was not thought pro- 
per to introduce the word " slaves." 

"The migration or importation of such persons as 
any of the states, now existing, shall think proper to 
admit, shall not be prohibited by tlie congress prior 
to the year 1808; but a tax or duty may be imposed 
on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars lor 
each person." 

In consequen(;9 of this unfortunate constitu- 
tional legitimation of the slave trade, it was 
carried on for twenty years on a large scale, 
and sowed a seed which has germinated with 
fatal fertility, and threatens a heavy retribution. 

In the discussion of the best means of avert- 
ing, or at least of mitigating the evil to be 
dreaded, from tlie existence among us of a 
class of people, who, although free, and there- 
fore entitled to the advantages and privileges 
of freemen, were, nevertheless, in a great 
degree, debarred from them by tlie inexorable 
force of public prejudice, and, in most of the 
states, were subject to rules and regulations 
and proscriptions, of the most oppressive and 
galling kind — in this discussion, I say, public 
opinion unanimously settled down in favour 
of an extensive system of colonization. 

On the subject of ihe location, tliere was not 
the same degree of unanimity. Some of our 
citizens were in favour of selecting a portion 
of the vacant territory of the United States, 
and setting it apart for the purpose. Otliers 
were, and some still are, for making an ar- 
rangement with the government of Mexico, 
and sending the class in question to Texas. 
Others, again, advocated a settlement on the 
western cor.st of Africa, being the natale solum 
of their ancestors, the climate being belter 
suited to the great majority of the coloured 
people of this country. The last plan was 
finally adopted. 

The objects of the friends of colonization 
are — 

I. To rescue the free coloured people from 
the disqualifications, the degradation, and the 
proscription to which tliey are exposed in the 
United States. 

II. To place them in a country where they 
may enjoy the benefits of free government, 
with all the blessings which it brings in its 
train. 

III. To avert the dangers of a dreadful col 
lision at a futiire day ot tlie two castes, which 
must inevitably be objects of mutual jealousy 
to each other. 

IV. To spread civilisation, sound morals, 
and true religion throughout the vast conti- 
nent of Africa, at present .sunk in the lowest 
and most hideous state of barbariFnu 

B 



LETTERS ON THE 



V. Aiifl though last, not least, to afford 
slave owners who are conscientiously scrupu- 
lous about holding liumaii beings in bondage, 
an asylum, to which they may send tiieir 
manumitted slaves. 

The last item has recently assumed a 
greatly increased importance. Manumissions 
are prohibited in some of the slave states, un- 
less the parties remove beyond their bounda- 
ries; and the entrance of free negroes into 
others is prohibited; so that manumissions 
without deportation, appear to be almost 
wholly at an end. 

With such noble objects in view, it is truly 
wonderful, that although the society has been 
in existence tor sixteen years, the whole of 
the contributions, public and private, (except 
the support by the government of the United 
States, of negroes captured from slave traders) 
received up to the present day, by the society 
for carrying them mto effect, has been but 
about $165,U00, little more than a cent a head 
for the entire population of the most prosper- 
ous nation m the world ! a nation, moreover, 
in which other objects, some of them of ime- 
rior usefulness, are most liberally supported ! 
Tliis must have arisen from an impression 
entertained by many, that the scheme is ab- 
solutely impracticable. Hence, many liberal 
individuals have wliolly withheld their con- 
tributions. Of this opinion was the writer of 
these letters, at an early stage of the exist- 
ence of the society. He regarded it as one 
of the wildest projects ever conceived by en- 
lightened men ; and therefore, in tlie language 
of Sterne, respectmg the monk, he was " pre- 
determmed not to give them a single sous." 
Mature reflection has, however, convinced 
him of his error : he is now satisfied that the 
project is not more benignant and beneficent, 
tlian practicable, provided the general and 
state governments, and public-spirited mdivi- 
duals yield it a support in any degree commen- 
surate with its importance. 

In the hope of converting others, as he him- 
self has been converted, he believes he may 
render an acceptable service to his country, 
by placing before the public, in plain, una- 
dorned language, the leading features of tiie 
case, under the following promment heads. 

1. On tlu! early plans of colonization, and 
the origin of the Society. 

2. The purchase of Liberia. 

3. Tnciease of the coloured population. 

4. Expense of the passage of the emigrants. 

5. JManumissions that liave taken place. 
With a view to emigration to Liberia. 

6. Progress of the colony, compared with 
the difficulties and disasters, experienced in 
the settlement of Massaciiusetts, Virginia, and 
North Carolma. 

7. Decided approbation of the Society by 
legislatures and other public bo<lics. 

8. Testimonies of the prosperous situation of 
tJie colonistSjby various American captains,&.c. 



9. Soil and climate, commerce, and produc- 
tions of Liberia. 

10. Disadvantages of slavery to the whites, 
and the advantages of colonization to the free 
people of colour. 

1 1. Situation of Africa, before the irruptions 
of the barbarians. 

12. Efi'ects of the colony on the slave trade, 
with a slight sketch of that nefarious ti'affic. 

April 6, 1832. 



LETTER n. 
Early plans of Colonization. — Mr. Jeffer- 
son's and Mr. Thornton's. — Resolve of the 
Legislature of Virginia. — Ineffectual Ne- 
gotiations. — Formation of the ColGnizution 
Society. — Granville Sharpe, Anthony Be- 
nezet, Paul Cirffee. 

As early as the year 1777, Mr. Jefferson 
proposed to the legislature of Virginia, to be 
incorporated in the revised code of that State, 
a plan for colonizing the free coloured popu- 
lation of the United States. The particulars 
I have net been able to obtain. There is rea- 
son to believe, that he proposed the settlement 
in some of the western vacant lands. Be that 
as it may, the project proved an abortion, 
owing partly to the distractions and difficul- 
ties of the war, and partly to tlie novelty and 
magnitude of the undertaking. How much 
to be deplored the result! Had it succeeded, 
what a source of danger and disaster would 
have been dried up lor ever ! 

In the year 1787, Dr. Thornton of Wash- 
ington, formed a project for establishing a co- 
lony of that population on the western coast 
of Afi-ica, and published an address to those 
residing in Massachusetts and Rliode Island, 
inviting them to accompany him. A suffi- 
cient number of them agreed to jro, and were 
prepared for the expedition. But this project 
faded, in consequence of the want of funds. 
The public mind was not then prepared foi 
affording pecuniary support. Previous to the 
year 1801, the legislature of Virginia, twice 
debated in secret session, the subject of colo- 
nizing the free people of colour, without 
coming to any decision on it. But in 1801, 
they passed a resolution, uistructing Mr. Mon- 
roe, then governor of the state, to apply to the 
President of the United States, and urge liim 
to institute negotiations with some of the i)ow- 
ers of Europe possessed of colonies on the coast 
of Afi-ica, to grant an asylum, to whicli our 
emancipated negroes might be sent. Mr. Jef- 
ferson opened a negfotiation with the Sierra 
Leone Company, for the purpose, but without 
success. At that period, the colony was in a 
very depressed and ilecaying state, being un- 
der the command of a private company, w ho 
foimd its support extremely burdensome. They 
did not choose to increase tiieir difficulties by 
an increase of the population. It was soon af- 
terwards surrendered to the British eovern- 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



ment. Mr. Jefferson subsequently applied to 
the government of Portugal, for an asylum in 
their African possessions, and equally failed. 
The project was then abandoned as hopeless. 

In the session of the legislature of Virginia, 
in 1816, the subject was again brought for- 
ward, and the following resolution was adopted 
by a large majority. 

" Whereas, the Geyieral Assembly of Virginia have 
repeatedly sought to obtain an asylum, beyond the 
limits of the United States, for such persons of co- 
lour as had been, or might be emancipated, under 
the laws of this commonwealth ; but have hitherto 
found all their efforts frustrated, either by the dis- 
turbed state of other nations, or domestic causes, 
equally unpropitions to their success: 

" They now avail themselves of a period, when 
peace has healed the wounds of humanity, and the 
principal nations of Europe have concurretl with the 
government of the United States, in abolishing the 
African Slave Trade, (a traffic which this Common- 
wealth, both l)efore and since the revolution, zeal- 
ously sought to exterminate,) to renew this effort, 
and do therefore, — 

" Resolve, That the Executive be requested to cor- 
respond with the President of the United States, for 
the purpose of obtaining a territory on the coast of 
Africa, or at some other place, not within any of the 
states or territorial governments of the United States, 
to serve as an asylum for such persons of colour .is 
are now free, ami may desire the same, and for those 
who may hereafter be emancipated within this 
Commonwealth ; and that the Senatprs and Repre- 
sentatives of this slate, in the congress of the United 
States, be requested to exert their best efforts to aid 
the President of the United States in the attainment 
of the above objects. 

" Provided, That no contract or arrangement re- 
specting such territory shall be obligatory on tliis 
Commonwealth, until ratified by the legislature." 

Thus the scheme of colonization, which is 
now so violently denoimced, in some of the 
papers in South Caroluia, as a conspiracy 
against the rights and property of the slave 
holders, and forms a part of tlie means whereby 
the dangerous effervescence in that state has 
been excited, originated with the great lead- 
ing slave state, which possesses more than a 
thfrd of all the slaves in the five original slave 
states. 

It appears that the idea of a Colonization 
Society, originated with the Rsv. Robert Fin- 
ley, of New- Jersey, a man of great humanity 
aiid benevolence, who, in February, 1815, 
wrote a letter to a friend,* in which he deeply 

* Basking Ridge, Feb. 14th, 1815. 
"The longer I live to see the ^vretchedness of 
men, the more I admire the virtue of those who de- 
vise, and with patience labour to execute, plans for 
the relief of the wretched. On this subject the state 
of the free blaclis has very much occupied my mind. 
Their number increases greatly, and their wretch- 
edness too, as appears to me. Every thing connected 
with their condition, including their colour, is against 
them : nor is there much prospect that their state can 
ever be greatly meliorated, while they shall conti- 
nue among us. Could not the rich and benevulenf de- 
vice meanstoform a colony on some part of the coast of 
Africa, similar to the one at Sierra Leone, which might 
gradually induce many free blacks to go and settle, 
devising for them the means of getting there, and of 
vroteclion and support till they were established? 
Could they be sent back to Africa, a threefold bene- 



deplored the calamitous and degraded state 
of the free people of colour, and suggested the 
plan of forming a colony on the coast of Afri- 
ca, for their reception, as a means of improv- 
ing their morals and manners, and rescuing 
them frOm the debasement under which they 
labour in this country. He counted largely 
on the advantages that such a colony would 
insure to Africa, by the introduction of civili- 
zation and Christianity. 

Full of these benevolent views, he repaired 
to Washington, in December, 1816, and with 
considerable efforts, assembled a meeting of 
citizens of influence and respectability, among 
whom were Buslirod Washington, Henry 
Clay, John Randolph, of Roanoke, Col. Mer- 
cer, Elias B. Caldwell, Francis S. Key, &c. 
&.C., to whom the project of forming a Co- 
lonization Society was submitted. Bushrod 
Washington presided at the meeting. The 
subject was fully and eloquently discussed, 
among others by Mr. Clay and- Mr. Ran- 
dolph. The latter observed, that — 

" If a place could be provided for their reception 
and a mode of senduig them hence, there were hun- 
dreds, nay thousands, who would, by manumitting 
their slaves, relieve themselves from the cares at- 
tendant on their possession." 

At this meeting, a letter from Thomas Jef- 
ferson, dated Jainiary 21, 1811, was read, in 
which he stated his abortive negociations with 
the Sierra Leone company, and with tlie Por- 
tuguese government. The following extracts 
are taken from this letter : 

" You have asked my opinion on the proposition of 
Ann Mifflin, to take measures for procuring on the 
coast of Africa, an establishment, to which the peo- 
ple of colour of^ these United States might, from time 
to time, be colonized, under the auspices of different 
governments. Having long ago made up my mind 
on this subject, I iuive no hesitation in saying, that I 
have ever thought that the viost desirable measure that 
could be adopted, for gradually drawing off this part 
of our population — most advantageous lor them- 
selves as well as Cot us ; going from a country pos- 
sessing all the useful arts, they might he the means 
of transplanting them ambng the inhaliitants of 
Africa ; and v\ onid thus carry back to the country 
of their origin, the seeds of civilization ; which might 
render their sojournment here a blessing, in the end, 
to that country. Indeed, nothing is more tobe ivished, 
than that the United Slates would, themselves, under- 
taJie to make such an establishment on the coast of 
Africa." 

A society was formed; Bushrod Wash- 
ington was appointed president, and Messrs. 
Crawford, Clay, Rutgers, Howard, Gen. Jack- 
son, Rev. R. Fmley, &c. vice presidents. An 
eloquent memorial to Congress was drawn 
up, which Mr. Randolph undertook to present 
to that body. 

It may not be amiss to mention here the 
names of tlie two persons, who, durmg the last 

fit would arise. We should be cleared of them. Wo 
should send to Africa, a population partly civilized 
and christianized for its benefit. And our blacks 
themselves, would be pat in a beUer situation. 
Think much upon this subject, and then please to 
write me when you have leimire." — Eobert Finley 



LETTERS ON THE 



century, were m the highest degree instru- 
mental in directing tlie public attention to 
slavery, and the liorrors of the slave trade. 
Although numbers of persons on each side 
of the Atlantic, had previously borne strong 
testimony against both, the pre-eminence in 
efficiency is due to Granville Sharpe, in En- 
gland, and Anthony Benezet, in Pennsylva- 
nia. The labours of the latter commenced 
about 1700, and of the former in 1770. 

Sharpe's career began with the case of J. 
Strong, who had been cruelly treated by his 
master, a planter of the island of Barbadoes, 
by whom he had been brought to England, 
and being found useless, partly by disease, and 
partly by the inhuman treatment he had ex- 
perienced, was abandoned to perish in the 
streets of London, or to depend on mendicity 
for a support. Sliarpe, becoming acquainted 
with his firlorn situation, took hmi under his 
protection, and recommended liim to the care 
of his brother William, a respectable physi- 
cian, by whom he was restored to health. 
The brutal master asserted his claun to Strong, 
as soon as he had recovered his powers of use- 
fulness. The brothers resisted the claim, and 
protected Strong, for which, a prosecution was 
commenced against them by the master. The 
result is not stated in the life of Sharpe, but 
it is highly probable that tJie cause of human- 
ity triumphed. 

Tliis case, however, and two others, of a 
similar character, which occurred subse- 
quently, did not settle the question, whether 
slavery could exist in England, which was 
brought to issue by the case of Somerset, a 
negro slave, (belonging to a Charles Stewart, 
a Virginian,) whose liberty was claimed by 
Sharpi;, on the broad ground, that the soil of 
England could not be polluted by slavery. 
The case was brought before Lord Mansfield, 
in the court of king's bench, whose opinion 
on the subject was so far unsettled, that he 
declared to the counsel, on the opening of the 
case — that, 

" If it raiiifi fairly to the general question, vvliat- 
ever the (jpiiiion of the court might be, even if they 
were all agreed upon one side or tlie other, the suh- 
ject was of so general and so extensive a concern, 
that, from the nature of the question, he should cer- 
tainly take the opinion of the judges upon it." 

The case was argtied three times, in Janu- 
ary, February, and May 1772, and the deci- 
sion three times postponed, on account of the 
doubts of the chief justice. At lenirth, on the 
22d of June, lie pronounced judgment, which 
concluded as follows : — 

" There is no necessity lo refer the question to the 
judges. Immemorial usage preserves |X)silive law, 
after liie occasion or accident, whicli gave rise to it, 
ha.s been forgotten ; and tracing the subject to na- 
tural principles, the claim of slavery never can be 
eupported. The power claimed never was m use 
here, or acknowledged by ihe law. UiM)n the who e, 
we cannot say lheca\ise returned is suHii'ient by tlu: 
law: and therefiire the man must be disc'b.arged." 

Anthony Benezet was an indefatigalile ad- 
vocate of tiie rights of the coloured people, 



and an ardent enemy of the execrable slave 
trade, on which he \vroie a number of pam- 
phlets, the distribution of which had a pow- 
erful effect in producmg the efforts that led 
to the abolition of that traffic. Several per- 
sons, belonging to tlie society of Friends, ui 
this country, had previously laboured in the 
same cause of humanity, among whom were 
William Curling, Ralph Sanford, Benjamin 
Lay, and Jo!m Woolman. But their labours, 
thoufjh higlily meritorious, were by no means 
so effectual as those of Benezet, who, how- 
ever, had the advantage, that he found the 
public mind rather better prepared by those 
estimable pioneers, for the reception of his 
doctrines. 

The first emigration of coloured people from 
the United States to Africa, v^as conducted 
by Paul Cnffee, an amiable, benevolent, and 
liberal coloured man, born at New Bedford, 
in 1759, of an African father and aboriginal 
mother. In the year lbl5, he sailed from 
Boston, in a vessel of his own, and took witli 
him nine families, containmg thirty-eight per- 
sons, of whom only eight paid their expenses. 
The whole expense of the remaining thirty, 
amounting to above tliree thousand dollars, 
was defrayed bv the noble-mmded Paul Cuf- 
fce. He landed" them in Sierra Leone, where 
they were kmdly received. Had he means, 
he might, in 1816, have taken 2000 from New 
England, as nearly the whole were willing to 
take passage with him. 

" Paul Caffce, by industry- and enterprize, guided 
by an uncommon share of plain sense and practical 
wisdom, arose from poverty to opulence, lie was 
largely concerned in navisalion; and, in many voj-- 
aees, particularlv lo Eus.-ia, England, Africa, the 
West Indies, and the Soiitheni states, commanded 
his ov\-n vessel. A man of sterling integrity and ac- 
tive benevolence, of modest and dignified manners, 
he was known and honoured by persons of the first 
respectability, in England and the United Stales. 

Philadelphia, April 10, 1832. 



LETTER III. 
Agents smt to Africa to explore the const 
for a suitable situation. — Land purchased. 
—Conflict with thenatives.— Agent seized 
by them.— Monrovia besieged.— In immi- 
nent danger. — Colonists trinmph. — Peace. 
In Novernber, 1819, tlie society appointed 
tv%^o agents, the Rev. S. J. JNIills and INlr. Ebe- 
nezcr^Burfress, to proceed to the coast of 
yVfrica, via'^England, to make the necessary 
explorations and inquiries as to a suitable lo 
cation for a settlement. The object of land 
ing in England, was, to procure letters to the 
leading men at Sierra Leone, and also to gain 
such general iniiirmation respecting the coast 
of Africa, as migiit be attainable. They suc- 
ceeded in both objects, and procured, more- 
over, recommoudations from tlie court of Co- 
i)enliagen, to its coU>nial aulhoiitics on the 
coast" Tiiey stiiled from the Downis on tiie 
7th of February, 1820, and aj-rived at S>p"-i> 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



9 



Leone early in March. They visited all the 
ports from Sierra Leone to Sherboro. At tliis 
last place, they found a small colony of co- 
loured people, settled by John Kizel, a South 
Carolma slave, who had joined the British in 
the revolutionary war, and at its close was 
taken to Nova Scotia, tVom whence he sailed 
with a number of Iiis countrymen to Africa, 
where ho establisiied this small settlement, 
which was, at the aixival of the agents, in a 
prosperous situation. By Ivizel and Ins peo- 
ple, the agents were kin.U}'' and hospitably 
received. After gaining- all the information 
necessary for their purpose, they sailed from 
the coast in May. Mr. Burgess yrrived in the 
United States in the following month. Mr. 
Mills died on the passage. 

On the 2J of iNIarch, 1S07, an act was 
passed by the Congress of tJie United States, 
prohibiting the s]a\'e trade, from and after the 
1st of January, 1803, under heavy penalties. 
Its chief features were, 

I. Any person engaged in fitting out a ves- 
sel for that trade, was liable to a penalty of 
20,000 dollars. 

II. Any person taking on board a vessel on 
the coast of Africa, any negro, mulatto, or 
person of colour, was subject to a penalty of 
5000 dollars. 

III. All vessels of the United States, found 
at sea by our cruisers, having been engaged 
in the slave trade, were to be forfeited, with ail 
their tackle ; the captain or master to be tried, 
and, if found guilty, to be subject to a fme of 
$10,000, and to imprisonment for not more 
than ten, nor less than five years. 

This act contained a clause, whereby ne- 
groes brouglit mto the United States, in con- 
sequence of its provisions, were to be " sub- 
ject to any regulations, not contravening the 
provisions of the act, which the legisla- 
tures of the several states or territories might 
thereafter make, for disposing of such ne- 
groes." 

By an act passed by the legislature of Geor- 
gia, on the 18th of December, 1817, all ne- 
groes, mulattoes, or persons of colour brought 
into the state, in pursuance of the above act 
of Congress, were directed to be claimed by 
a person to be appointed by the governor, 
taken to IMilledgeville, and there sold, after 
sLxty days notice in a public gazette. 

It is obvious that the law of Congress, abo- 
lishing the slave trade, would be a solemn 
mocljery, unless an asylum were provided for 
the captured negroes. If landed m Georgia, 
or any other of the slave-holding states, they 
would be sold as slaves, and in that ca^e, the 
only effect of the law of congress would be, 
to change the location of the victims from the 
Havanna or Rio de Janeiro, to Augusta, or 
Savannah, or Milledgevdle. And the non- 
slave holding states would never consent to 
be burdened with negroes who could not 
speak their language, nor be able, for a long 



j time, to earn a support, and who would there- 

! fore become paupers. 

The law of Georgia, however, contained a 
clause u'hich authorised and required the go- 
vernor to deliver to the Colonization Society, 
all captured negroes, landed in the state, pro- 
vided the society paid all the expenses incur- 
red by the state, smce their capture and con- 
demnation. 

A slaver, containing thirty-eight negroes, 
was captured by one of our government ves- 
sels, and brought into Georgia. The negroes 
were advertised for sale, on the 3d of May, 

1819, at Milledgeville, ui pursuance of the 
above act. The Colonization Society, then in 
its mfancy, availed itself of the clause refer- 
red to — paid' the expenses incurred by the 
state, and rescued the victims of piratical cu- 
pidity from a per])etual slavery. 

Cases of this kind which liad previously oc- 
curred, drev\r tiie attention of congress to the 
necessity of providing an asylum for the cap- 
tured negroes; and accordingly, an act was 
passed on the 3d of March, 1819, whereby 
the president was " authorized to make such 
regulations and arrangements as he might 
deem expedient, for the safe keeping, support, 
and removal beyond the limits of the United 
States, of all such negroes, mulattoes, or per- 
sons of colour, as might [in this manner,] be 
brought within their jurisdiction ; and to ap- 
point a proper person or persons, residing 
upon the coast of Africa, as agent or agents, 
for receiving the negroes, mulattoes, or per- 
sons of colour, delivered from on board vessels 
seized in the prosecution of the slave trade, 
by commanders of the United States' armed 
vessels." 

It was obvious that the objects of the go- 
vernment could be better accomplished in 
conjunction vvith the Colonization Society, 
than separately. Accordingly, in the year 

1820, the Elizabeth was chartered, and took 
out to the coast two agents of the govern- 
ment, one from the Society, and about eighty 
emigrants. The latter were to be employed 
at the expense of the government, in prepar- 
ing accommodations for the reception of re- 
captured negroes. 

They were, in the outset, extremely un- 
fortunate. They found it unpossible to obtain 
a suitable place, and "were compelled, by a 
variety of untoward circumstances, to make a 
temporary establishment in tlie low, un- 
healtliy island of Sherboro." Here they were 
detained some time, endeavouring to purchase 
land — and were attacked by fatal diseases, 
which carried off the three agents, and twenty 
of the colonists. 

The colony was in a lamentable state, in 
the spring of 1821. Great confusion and 
want of subordination prevailed, in conse- 
quence of the death of the agents. At that 
time, four new ones arrived, Messrs. An- 
drews, Wiltberger, Winn, and Bacon; the 



10 



LETTERS ON THE 



two first on the part of the Society, and the 
others on that of the United States. They 
brought out twenty-eight emigrants — and, 
from the difficulties that hixd occurred in pro- 
curing land, they proceeded with the old and 
new hands tothe neighbourhood of Sierra Le- 
one. One of the agents, Mr. Bacon, being 
taken sick, returned to the United State:?. 
Mr. Andrews died in August, and Mr. Winn 
in September. 

This was a most appalling state of things, 
and would have discouraged ordinary men 
from a prosecution of the scheme. Fortu- 
nately, such timid counsels did not prevail. 
The Society determined to persevere, trust- 
ing that more experience, and the choice of 
a more salubrious situation, would guard 
against a repetition of those disasters. 

A new agent. Dr. Ayres, was appointed, 
who, with Lieutenant Stockton, on the part 
of the Unked States, sailed in November, 
1821, and arrived on the coast of Africa in 
December. On a careful examination of the 
coast, they purcliased the country called Moht- 
serado, where the colony is now settled. The 
price agreed upon, was three hundred dollars, 
payable ui powder and ball, fire-arms, tobac- 
co, clothing, &c. 

The Africans who had been landed at Sierra 
Leone, were now sent for, and affairs wore a 
promising aspect, when an untoward circum- 
stance occurred, which threatened a total 
failure of the scheme. 

A small slave vessel, prize to an English 
schooner, with thirty recaptured slaves on 
board, and bound for Sierra Leone, put in for 
water at Perseverance island, part of the pur- 
chased territory, where the colonists were 
stationed. Having unfortunately parted her 
cable, she drifted on shore, where she was 
wrecked. The custom of the coast appropri- 
ates to the petty chief on wliose lands a wreck 
takes place, the vessel and her entire con- 
tents. King George, on whose territory the 
accident happened, sent his people to take 
possession. They were resisted by the cap- 
tain and crew, and were discomfited. While 
the natives were preparing to renew the at- 
tack, the captain sent to the agent for assist- 
ance, which was readily granted. A boat 
was instantly manned, and sent to his relief, 
and a brass field piece on the island brought 
to bear on the assailants, who were accord- 
ingly routed, with the loss of two killed and 
several wounded. The crew and slaves were 
brought in safety to Innd, but the vessel went 
to pieces, and most of the stores and property 
was lost. 

Tliis exasperated the natives, not merely 
by the loss of their plunder and their men, but 
by tlie prospiict it hfdil out of similar iuti-rfer- 
cnces in future. They auticip;ited tiu> total 
interruption of the slave trade, whicli was 
their principal depimdence for procuring su{)- 
nlies of whatever they might want. They 



therefore determined to extirpate tne colony, 
while in its feeble and defenceless state. 

Only part of the goods had been delivered, 
and the natives refused to receive the remam- 
der, insisting on returning what they had re- 
ceived. This, of course, the agent refused, 
and they had recourse to a stratagem to ac- 
complish their purpose. They invited him 
to an amicable conference, and as soon as they 
had him in their power, made him a prisoner, 
and detained him until he consented to take 
the articles back. Then they insisted on the 
colonists withdrawing from the settlement 
altogether. Pleading the difficulty of re- 
moval, for want of a })lace to which to retire, 
he was permitted to remain till he could make 
a purchase of land. Meanwhile, he made an 
appeal to Boatswain, one of tlie native kings, 
wiio enjoyed a sort of supremacy among 
them, and who, on hearing the respective al- 
legations, gave an award in favour of the co- 
lonists, that the bargain had been tair on both 
sides ; that there was no ground for rescind- 
ing it ; and therefore, that the natives should 
receive the stipulated goods, and relinquish 
the purchased territory. With this judgment 
his perfidious regal brethren were forced to 
comply, as he threatened them with ven- 
geance, if they pro\ed refractory. 

Notwithstanding this favourable decision 
of the dangerous controversy, the colony was 
at the lowest ebb at that period. It had to 
dread the vengeance of its neighbours, on the 
departure of Boatswain, whose territories were 
considerably remote, and before whose return, 
for their defence, they might be crushed by 
the overwhelming numbers of their enemies. 
And, unfortunately, through the unskilfulness 
of the colonial engineer, the thatch of the 
store house, wherein were contained the pro- 
visions, arms, amnmnition, merchandize, and 
other public property of the colony, had taken 
fire, in their conflict in the defence of the 
English prize ship, and the house and nearly 
all its contents, amoimting in value to about 
three thousand dollars, assorted for the settle- 
ment, and all of the first necessity, were con- 
sumed. The powder, a few casks of jirovi- 
sions, and a scanty supjily of other stores, 
were with difficulty, rescued from the flames, 
by the exertions of the colonists. 

" Tho hoiipps were yet destitutp of roofs, for which 
the materials were to be so.ight for, in the almost 
impenetrahle swamps of the coin. try. The rainy 
season had ah'eadv .('m.aienceil. The island {Per- 
severance,) if much longer occupied by the colo- 
nists, must prove the grave of many. Sickness was 
beginning to be prevalent, and ilie agents were 
among the suHeiers. Tiie store of provisions was 
scanty, and all other stores nearly exhausted." 

In this gloomy state of affairs, Dr. Ayres 
determined to remove the Colonists, their jiro- 
visions, s'.ores, &c. to Sierra Leone. The 
Society's agejit, Mr. Wiltherger, opposed this 
project ; convinced that if the Colonists re- 
moved, the land purchased could not be reco- 
vered. At his instance tho Colonists heroically 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



11 



rejected it, and determined to remain, in the 
hope of a melioration of their aiTairs. 

At tliis eventful period, to cheer the hopes 
and to revive the courage of the settlers, a 
vessel arrived from Baltimore, with a number 
of recaptuTed slaves, and thkty-seven free co- 
loured people, under the superintendance of 
the Rev'. Mr. Ashmun; who, on landing-, 
found, to his great surprise, that the agents 
had returned to America, having left tlie co- 
lony under the care of a coloured man. 

The natives were brooding over, not only 
their discomfiture in the attack on the En- 
glish vessel, but on the very unwelcome deci- 
sion of Boatswain, of the controversy about 
the soil. As soon as he had retired, they be- 
gan to make preparations for an attack, m or- 
der to extirpate such formidable neighbours, 
before they had gained sufficient strength to 
set them at defiance. The colonists were in 
a very indLTerent state to meet the attack. 
" Of the native Americans, twenty-seven, 
when not sick, were able to bear arms, but 
were wholly untramed to their use, and capa- 
ble, m their present undisciplined state, of 
raakmo- but a very feeble defence. There 
were forty muskets m store, which, with re- 
pairing, were capable of being rendered ser- 
viceable. Of one brass, and five iron guns 
attached to the settlement, tlie former only 
was fit for service, and four of the latter re- 
quired carriages. Some of them had been 
nearly buried in the mud on the opposite side 
of the river. Not a good abattis or other 
fencework, had been completed. There was 
no fixed ammunition ; nor, witliout great dif- 
ficulty and delay, was it possible to load the 
only gun wliich was provided with a sufficient 
carriage." 

The colonists, by means of " a spy in the 
enemy's camp," had uiformation of all theu- 
plans of attack, and made all the preparation 
in their power to repel them. But their num- 
ber was small, having only thirty-five efiec- 
tive men. Then- defences were incomplete, 
and the most alarming feature in their affairs 
was, that the agent, the Rev. Mr. Ashmun, 
a man of the most extraordinary zeal, ardour, 
and energy, was dangerously ill, confined fi-e- 
quently to his bed, and at tunes, rather deliri- 
ous, and wholly unable to attend to his duties. 
" From the middle of September till the first 
week m November, he continued in an ex- 
tremely low and dangerous state; so en- 
tirely debditated in body and mind, as to be 
nearly incapable of motion, and msensible 
to every thing, but the consciousness of suf- 
fering." 

The attack was made on the 8th of No- 
vember, 1822, by a force of above eight hun- 
dred men. Li consequence of the sickness 
of the agent, and his mability to enforce his 
orders personally, one pass had been neglected 
to be properly defended. There, tlie enemy 
fcund an entrance, and captured one of the 



guns ; which, very fortunately, they knew not 
how to manage. At this awfiil crisis, when 
total destruction seemed inevitable, the colo- 
nists were saved by the want of discipline of 
the assailants. They had captured four 
houses, and betook themselves to plunder 
them, whereby they got into confusion, and 
afforded the colonists time to rally. Had the 
enemy availed themselves of their first suc- 
cess, resistance, on the part of the besieged, 
would have been in vain. But the latter hav- 
ing recovered from their surprise, recaptured 
t;he gun, and turned it on the enemy, among 
whom, as they were wedged in a solid mass, 
it made a horrible havoc. They lost sixty or 
eighty men, and fled in utter confusion. The 
loss of the colonists was nearly in the same 
proportion to their numbers. They had tlu-ee 
men and one woman kUled; two men and 
two women severely wounded ; and four chil- 
dren captured. 

Altliough thus completely discomfited, the 
natives did not abandon their design of ex- 
termmatmg the colony. They determmed 
to renew the attack with additional forces, 
collecting auxiliaries from as many of the 
neighbouring tribes as they could induce to 
unite with them. The colonists, on their side, 
were equally on the alert, and made mcredi- 
ble exertions to prepare for repelling tlie as- 
sailants. They reduced the extent of their 
\vorks, and thus rendered them more defen- 
sible tlian they had been on the former at- 
tack But the number of effective men was 
less, beuig only thirty. 

The attack was made on the 30th of No- 
vember, and incomparably better concerted 
than the former one. It took place almost 
simultaneously on three sides of the fortifica- 
tions. The assailants displayed a tact and 
skill that would have done credit to more ex- 
perienced warriors. But they were received 
with that bravery and determination which 
the danger of total destruction, in case of de- 
feat, was calculated to inspire, and were 
finally defeated with severe loss. The gar- 
rison had one man killed, and two badly 
wounded. The skill and talent, and energy 
of Mr. Ashmun, mainly secured the triumph. 
He received three buliets through his clothes, 
but was not wounded. 

The action continued an hour and a half, 
and was renewed three times, with the ut- 
most desperation. 

" There was, at this time, little surgical 
knowledge, less skill, and absolutely no in- 
struments — not a lancet nor probe in the 
settlement. Its little dispensary had no lack 
of James's powders, and stores of febrifuges , 
but for medicating broken bones, and ex- 
tracting fragments of pot metal and copper 
ship bolts from the shattered limbs of the 
colonists, there had been no provision what- 
ever. A dull penknife and a common razor 
were substituted in the place of the first, 



12 



LETTERS ON THE 



and a priming iron made to answer the pur- 
pose of the last." 

His Britannic majesty's schooner Driver, 
fortunately arrived in the liarbour at this 
time, and the commander kindly offered his 
services as mediator, which were gladly ac- 
cepted by both paities, as tliey weie^equally 
tired of " the unprofitable contest." The na- 
tive princes signed an engagement " to ob- 
serve an unlimited truce witli tJie colony, 
and submit all their ditferences to the arbi- 
tration of the governor of Sierra Leone." 

Since that period the colonists have not 
been molested. They are the objects of re- 
spect and veneration, and their friendship is 
sought after by all the petty kings in tlieir 
neighbourhood. . 

A reo-ular form of government was adopted 
in 1824, which produced the happiest effects 
on the morals and manners of the colonists. 
In truth, this period may be stated as ahnosl 
the commencement of the establisliment — 
the four preceding years having been the 
reio-n of anarchy and confusion. 

Philadelphia, April 12, 1832. 



LETTER IV. 

Increase of thti Coloured population. 
The dangers arising from the great in- 
crease of a°caste in the nation, wlio are by 
mimemorial custom or prejudice, the eradi- 
cation of wiiich can scarcely be hoped for, 
cut off from all chance of amalgamation with 
their fellow beings of a dilTerent colour, are 
yearly augmenting by the natural liorror of 
slavery, which is constantly gaining strength 
in the breasts of the slaves; by the unceas- 
ing discussions in our papers, especially by 
those that recently took place m tlie legisla- 
ture of Virginia; and by the inflammatory 
publications^ which are clandestinely spread 
among the slaves, in spite of the vigilance 
and denunciations of their masters. Circum- 
stances, too, are occasionally occurring, 
which t^nd to fan the flame; among which 
may be reckoned, the general manumission 
of the slaves in tiie royal colonies of (Ireat 
Britain, and the steady persevering efforts, 
in and out of parliament in that kingdom, to 
procure a total emancipation in all the Bri- 
tish colonies. 

In the discussion of this subject, it is only 
necessary to cast a furtive glance at the 
scenes in St. Domingo, and more recently in 
Jamaica, and the various insurrections i)lan- 
ned and attempted in this country, to be sa- 
tisfied, that tiie sulii<!ct has not hitherto at- 
tracted tliat consideration in general, to 
whicli it io entitled by its great magnitude 
and importance. Altliough there is, we hope 
and trust, no great danger of such insurrec- 
tionary attempts j)rovinir successful, yet they 
may, and in ail prol)ahi]ity will, produce re- 
petitions of the h..rrihle scenes which took 



place at Southampton, at which humanity 

shudders. 

On this view of the subject, it could 
scarcely have been anticipated, that the 
scheme proposed by the colonization Society, 
of removing sucli of the free people of co- 
lour as are disposed to emigrate to the land 
of their lathers, and such slaves as are eman- 
cipated, on condition of removal to that land, 
and affording strong inducement to emanci- 
pation, of whose benign effects, we have re- 
cently seen so many instances, should have 
met v;ith any opposition. It is, nevertheless, 
certain, that it has been violently opposed in 
two quarters, where it might have rationally 
been supposed likely to meet with most fa- 
vour, in South Carolina, and among some of 
the free blacks, of whom, the latter were for- 
merlv decidedly in favour of the views of the 
Society. 

We shall, in the sequel, consider how 
far the actual very depressed situation and 
future prospects of the free coloured peo- 
ple, warrant their opposition to a scheme 
calculated to confer on them all the advan- 
tages and blessings of freedom and indepen- 
dence, from so many of which they are de- 
barred in this country. At present, we shall, 
confine ourselves to the case of South Caro- 
lina. That state is by tkr more particularly- 
interested in the success of the scheme than 
any other, except perhaps Louisiana; a3 
these are the only two states in which tht> 
slave population exceeds that of the whites. 



Population of South Carolina. 

Whites Slaves. 

InlTCO 131,181 1€7,094 
1830 257,878 315,565 
Thus it appears, that while the slaves 
very nearly trebled their numbers in forty 
years, tlie whites did not quite double theirs. 
The relative situation of the white and co- 
loured population east of the Blue Ridge, in 
Virg-inia, places this subject in a striking 
point of view. It appears that the latter^have 
o-ained on the former in forty years, 106,176, 
being more than a fourth part of the number 
of whites at present in that part of the coun- 
try. To render this case more remarkable, 
it is to be observed, that during this period, 
the shipment of slaves from that portion of 
Virginia to the more southern states, has been 
carried to an enormous extent. 

Population East of the Blue Ridge. 
Total. Majority. 

Whites, lilacls. Whites. Blacks. 
In 1790 314,523 289,425 25,098 

1800 330,289 339.293 3,004 

]R10 33^^,:" 53 3H6.942 4^,389 

1820 317,«72 413,928 6(:,056 

IA)][) 375,935 457,013 81,078 

Tiie following table exhibits the increase 
of the free coloured people in the United 



S^tes, from the year 1790, to the present 

^"S,?.^'*^l I In 1820 233,530 

S S '''' ''''''' 

A multiplication of nearly six fold in forty 

years, and above 33 per ct. in the last 10 years. 
Number of slaves at the different periods 

of taking the census. 
1790 697,697 I 1820 15'^ft79« 

s ,s '^ -^'^^ 

The disparity of increase of the white 
and coloured population in the five orimnal 
slave states, deserves attention 

1790. Whites. Slaves. 

Maryland 208,650 103,036 

Virginia 442,127 292,627 

North Carolina 288.204 100 572 
130,178 107,094 
52,886 29,264 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



23 



South Carolina 
Georgia 



1830. 

Maryland 
Virginia 
North Carolina 
South Carolina 
Georgia 



1,122,045 

Whites. 
291,093 
694,439 
472,433 

257,878 
296,614 



632,593 

Slaves. 

102,878 

469,754 

246,462 

315,665 

217,407 



2,012,457 1,352,136 
It thus appears, that the whites, in fortv 

l^hST'T""^ °"^y ^^•'"* ""'S^^y per cent:, 
whi e the slaves increased one hundred and 
twelve In North Carolina, the whites in- 
Creased but sixty-four per cent, while the 
slaves increased one hundred and forty-five 
r l.,""?'^^'' °^ ^^^v*^s in Maryland has 
slightly decreased, partly by manumissions, 
and partly by the shipment of slaves to thp 
more southern states, both of which have 
taken place m that state, on a large scale. 
LT onL''°^T''^ population in 1790, was 
only 8 042 ; whereas, in 1830, it was 52,942 
lableof the number of coloured people 
tree and slaves, in the United States, at the 
various periods of taking the census, to,o-ether 
with a statement of the numbers that will 

ri?l 'V^n ?T'y ^""^'y decennial census, 

till 1880, at the rate of increase that took 

place between 1820 and 1830, viz. 35 per cent 

1790 757,178 1840 3 145 '%'S9 

1800 1,006,922 1850 4,246:411 

1820 1,771,558 I 1870 7 739 236 
1830 2,330 187 | 1880 loilSis 
What fearful presages arise in the mind, 
when we consider that in 1880, at the pre: 
sent rate of increase, the population of the 
^- is., then above 54,000,000, will embrace 
more than 10,000,000 of a dis'tinct raJe, be! 
tween whom and the majority, cordiality 
can scarcely be expected ! What an admo- 
nitory lesson in favour of colonization ! 
I'hiladelphia, April 14, lft32. 

C 



LETTER V. 

Expense of Passage. 

It remains to ascertain, as nearly as possi- 
ole, the expense of emigration. 

The passage is, at present, calculated at 
about twenty dollars, and the expense for 
the maintenance of each emigrant for six 
months, at about 15 dollars; makino- all to- 
gether, 35 dollars. ° 

But children from two to twelve years of 
age, are taken at half price, and below two 
years, free of charge ; allowing for a due pro- 
portion of children, thirty dollars would be 
a tolerably fair estimate for passage and sup- 

Moreover, when the situation of the co- 
lony becomes better known, and the preju- 
dices which have been industriously created 
against It, are done away, many emigrants 
wiJI defray their own expenses; and many 
liumane and charitable masters will, as has 
taken place already, pay the passage of their 
manumitted slaves. 

Again, for a long time to come, there will 
be, as there is at present, a great demand in 
the colony for labourers; and able-bodied 
men will, immediately on landing, be able 
to procure employment. In a former report it 
was stated, that of the whole number of emi- 
grants that arrived in one vessel, only seven 
were unemployed in twenty days. Consider- 
ing all these circumstances, we might be au- 
tfiorized to assume an average of twenty dol- 
lars for each; but if we err at all, it is better 
to err on the safe side, and assume twenty- 

It appears that the annual increase is a lit- 
tle above 2J per cent. In the first edition 
we erroneously assumed 3|. 

Two and a half per cent, on the present 
number of coloured people in the United 
states probably 2,400,000, amounts to 60,000 
annuahy. Supposing the object to be the 
prevention of any mcrease, and that there- 
tore provision would have to be made for 
the conveyance of 60,000 annuaily,^ 1 25 dol- 
lars each, the ex-pense would be $1,500,000. 
i his sum IS large, and would require con- 
siderable sacrifices. But was any grand ob- 
ject ever attained without great sacrifices ^ 
VVe were, when in a comparatively feeble 
state, able to raise .$100,000,000 in a year 
and a half, for the support of a war. Our 
revenue has been, for years, from 20 to 
$25,000,000, and the national debt is nearly 
paid off. Th3 direct tax of the state of Penn- 
sylvania in the year 181.5, was $730,968 
and that of Virginia, .f 738,036, which were 
paid without any oppression of the citizens 
of either. And surely, if reason and com- 
mon sense have fair play, it will not be diffi- 
cult to procure an amendment of tlie consti- 
tution, (if such an amendment be nocesparv 
vvhich is doubted by many of our citizf^ngi liy 
three-fourths of the states, allowing tho np- 



LETTERS ON THE 



propriation of a sum necessary ^r the pur- 
pose; and never did a nation make a u.or. 
"^^S^[Sr;non.slavehold.gstate. 
There can be no doubt that these wo^ild ra 
UtV such an amendment; and from the ^e 
V fence of the conviction in M-^aand Jj , 
ginia, and North Carolina of ^ « da^^f/; 
fhat menace the country from this source 

^tfdVob^bly be had ma y^r or Uvo,^a 

Philadelphia, April 15, itW^- 



LETTER VI. 

Manumissions, with a ^^^'f f .f "f^"-^ '^' 

emancipated slaves to ^^f j«-^,^__ 

Among the most promismg and encourag 

ino- circumstances attendmg the career or 

hfssoaety, are the numerous manumis on 

that have taken place m a.most all the s ave 

states, on the express condition of the treea 

P-TtesfmTumlsSo^sS occurred on a 
scale that the most sanguine ^ds of t e 

53aSS2SS 

"?t w'uld be endless toenumerate the^ases 
Ta^'^r/apau''':^: which *ey are enUjjed 
""A^rnear CharleBtown, Va liberated 

J!;:itaiu,i,s,a».^^^^^^ 

r="; r." tSocfcrTco'.hey *°»M 
.hi„i ro ,er to ™. And, " as an encourage. 
SrOen.foe.ni.™«;^*cA„re^^^^^^ 

?,r.Xn!'"r«r[h^i'sfh-wm 

the wnu, secured, 1 desire not only 

7Zi:!'Z^<^ emigration be paid, 
KittXrum of fifty dollars be paid to 



each one so emigrating, on his or her arrival 

'"^ ^khriver, of Frederick co. Maryland, 
ordered bv his will, that all his slaves, tliirty 
n number, should be emancipated, and that 
uoSe provision should be made for tlie com- 
fortable support of the infirm and aged, and 
S the instruction of the young m reading, 
writm-,and arithmetic, and m some art oi 
Trade by which they might acquire the 

*$5000 to defray the expense of transportm, 

'' p'tfey'^Moms, of Louisa co., Va. directed 
u n that all her slaves, sixteen m num- 

^-^-.cheoner Randolph which^^gW 
res°?Sri;y'abene^.lnt,ndividua. 

^nTan^cf^Sd on cond.Uon of being conveyed 

irh,f •w!S?aecr.T'he d,ed before .ha. 
^^V?\ t T\ Flder of Petersburg, Va. be- 

should be conveyed to Liberia, uy 

"Pr.^enJleman in Georgia, has recently left 
49 slaves frZ on condition of their removal 

'" M^f Elizabeth Morris, of Bourbon co. Va 
pro' [ded by will for the emancipation of her 

Lves, about forty '" "»!^^^^^^^-,,. n. c.,freed 
David Patterson, of Orange co. i 

''ZrRoLVSsnffoll<.co Va provM 

^y'''-''\s;„'fs,i?.rss--r!li'r. 

slaves, upwards ottmriy, Liberia. 

dred dollars to P^^ Smith of Frederic co. 
Joseph LemKud b .ith, ol^ ^.^^^^^ 

Md , liberated twelve slaves, 

S:^;^;;:;rsit'ofSgse„u.ere, 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



In the brig Criterion, which sailed from 
Norfolk for Liberia, on the 2d August 1831, 
there were forty-six persons who had been 
liberated, on condition of proceeding to Li- 
beria ; 18 by Mrs. Greenfield, near Natchez ; 
8 by Mr. Williams, of Elizabeth city, N. C. ; 
7 by Gen. Jacocks, of Perquimans, Ohio; 
4 by Thomas Davis, Montgomery co. Miss. ; 
2 by two other individuals ; and 5 by some 
of the Quakers in North Carolina. Of 
those liberated slaves, 2 only were above 
40 years of age, 31 were under 35, and 22 
under 20. 

A gentleman in N. C. last year, gave free- 
dom to all his slaves, 14 in number, and pro- 
vided 20 dollars each, to pay their passage 
to Liberia. * 

Mrs. J. of Mercer co. Kentucky, and her 
two sons, one a clergyman, and the other a 
physician, lately ottered the Colonization 
bociety sixty slaves, to be conveyed to Li- 
beria. 

Henry Robertson, of Hampton, Va., be- 
queathed their freedom to seven slaves, and 
hlty dollars to each, to aid in their removal 
to Liberia. 

William Fletcher, of Perquimans, N. C, 
ordered by will, that his slaves, twelve in 
number, should be hired out for a year after 
his death, to earn wherewith to pay for their 
conveyance to Liberia. 

A gentleman in Kentucky, lately wrote to 
the secretary of the Society, » I will wil- 
lingly give up twelve or fifteen of my co- 
loured people at this time ; and so on gradu- 
ally, till the whole, about sixty, are given 
up, if means for their passage can be af- 
forded." 

On board the Harriet, from Norfolk, of 
one hundred and sixty emigrants, between 
forty and fifty had been slaves, emancipated 
on condition of being sent to Africa. 

In addition to these mstances, several 
others might be added, particularly that of 
Richard Bibb, Esq. of Kentucky, who pro- 
poses to send sixty slaves to Liberia— two 
gentlemen in Missouri, who desire to send 
eleven slaves— a lady in Kentucky ofl^ers 40 
—the Rev. John C. Burress, of Alabama, in- 
tends preparmg all his slaves for coloniza- 
tion-tlie Rev. William L. Breckenridge, of 
Kentucky, ma-numitted 11 slaves, who sailed 
a few weeks ago from New Orleans. 
/" this work of benevolence, the society 
u, j^' ' ^^ '" ^''° "^^"y other cases, have 
nobly distinguished themselves, and assumed 
a prominent attitude. They have, in North 
Carolina, liberated no less than 652 slaves, 
whom they had under their care, besides, as 
says my authority, an unknown number of 
children, husbands and wives, connected 
with them by consanguinity, and of whom, 
part went to Canada, part to Liberia, part to 
Hayti, and a portion to Ohio. In the perform- 
ance of these acts of benevolence, they ex- 



pended $12,759. They had remaking under 
their care, in December 1830, 402 slaves, 
for whom similar arrangements were to be 
made. 

It holds out every encouragement to the 
Colonization Society, that the applications 
for the transportation of free negroes, and 
slaves proposed to be emancipated on condi- 
tion of removal to Liberia, far exceed its 
means. There are, in North Carolina and 
the adjacent states, from three to four thou- 
sand of both descriptions, ready to embark, 
were the Society in a situation to send them 
away. 
Philadelphia, April 17, 1832. 



LETTER Vn. 

Progress of Liberia. — Inauspicious com- 
mencement in Massachusetts, Virginia, 
and North Carolina. 

A BRIEF comparison of the progress made 
m Liberia, with the colonization of Massa- 
chusetts, Virginia, and North Carolina, will 
place the first on high ground, and dispel 
the doubts of the most sceptical, as to the ul- 
timate success of this magnificent and be- 
nignant undertaking, if it receive a due de- 
gree of support. Let it be observed, that the 
society never made any calculation on being 
able to accomplish the mighty object of their 
enterprise by private resources alone. That 
would have been extravagant folly. The 
success must, they well knew, ultimately de- 
pend on the patronage of the general and 
state governments, united. This patronage 
they fondly hope to obtain, as soon as the 
prejudices that have been created against 
this enterprise, have been dissipated. ° The 
society has done its duty in proving the prac- 
ticability of the scheme, and will steadily 
continue its exertions on a scale proportioned 
to the means placed at its disposal. Further 
than this it never promised. 

The first expedition to Liberia, took place 
ni 1820 ; but the colonists, as has been al- 
ready stated, met with so many difficulties 
and embarrassments at the commencement, 
that It was not until the year 1824, that or- 
der or good government was established. 
All that has been accomplished worth no- 
tice has, therefore, taken place within the 
last eight years. What, then, is the state of 
the case? 

There are now above 2000 souls settled, 
contented, happy, and prosperous ; enjoying 
all the apparatus of a regular government; 
an improving agriculture'; a prosperous and 
increasing commerce; settlements rapidly 
extending; a large territory, possessed of ex- 
traordinary advantages of soil, cHmate, and 
situation for commerce, fairly and honoura- 
bly purchased, about one hundred and fifty 



LETTERS ON THE 



15 

miles oa the coast, and extending into the | 
interior of the country thirty or forty imles; . 
several slave factories destroyed, and the 
slaves liberated; the slave trade abolished 
for about 40 miles above and below the co- 
lony ; the circumjacent aboriginals tranquU- 
ized, regarding the settlers with reverence, 
and looking up to them for protection trom 
the ferocious violence of those hosteshummn 
generis, the slave traders; the attacks o a 
host of confederated petty kmgs repelled 
in 1822, in the very infancy of tne colony, 
and in its most feeble state; education care- 
fully attended to; the children of the natives 
sent in for instruction to the schco s of the 
colonists; morals and religion flounshmg. Iri 
a word, the most sanguine expectations oi 
the founders of the colony more than real- 
ized, at this very early 3tage of its existence. 
It may be doubted whetlier any colon;- ever 
throve more, and few, so completely, ui so 
short a space of time. 

One feature in this colony most honoura- 
bly distinguishes it from almost every other 
colony, established in ancient or modern 
times Of all other colonies, the founders 
were imoelled by a desire of conquest; a 
thirst of 'acTgrandizcment, or of the acquisi- 
tion of wealth. With no such views, were 
the founders of Liberia actuated. Pure be- 
nevolence alone, inspired the ihustnous 
men, the Finleys, the Thorntons the Wash- 
ingtons, the Piercers, the Ashmuns, the 
Cald wells, the Meades, theGurleys,who pro- 
iected or aided in the formation of the so- 
cietv The benedt of the colonists, and the 
peace and happiness of this country, were 
the objects. For the attainment of those im- 
portant objects, they devoted their time and 
their subaance, and have patiently endured 
the scotSi, and ridicule, and scorn, to which 
their grand enterprise, in common with all 
other great and novel undertakings, was sub- 

■"^ Let "us now cast an eye on the early re 
suits of the attempts at the colonization of 
Massachusetts, Virginia, and I\orth Caro- 

The pih-rims who commenced the settle- 
ment of wl^sachusetts, landed in December, 
1620, to the number of 120; and so lU were 
they provided with provisions and clothmg, 
and so inclement was the season, that about 
fifly of them perished in the course of the 
winter and the ensuing spring.* And, al- 
thou-rh they received frequent reinlorce- 
menrs, there remained but three hundred 
in the year 16:^0, one half of the whole num- 
ber having perished iu tlio severe winter of 

^ What a striking contrast Liberia exhibits! 
How exhilarating and encouraging to its 

♦ Marehall's Life of Washington. Vol. I. page 49. 

* Idem, page 102. 



friends, and how useful a lesson does it hold 
out to its enemies, to cease their opposition ! 
But inauspicious as the incipient opera- 
tions were in Massachusetts, the result was 
far worse ^br 21 years in Virginia. The first 
attempt at a settlement took place in i&bS, 
and was succeeded for years by several nu- 
merous reinforcements, which, in a great 
measure, fell victims to their own irregulari- 
ties, or to the hostile attacks of the Indians, 
whom those irregularities provoked. In IblU, 
the heroic Smith, the father of the colony, 
brouoht out a strong reinforcement, and re- 
turned home for furtlier supplies of men 
orovisions. arms, and ammunition, leaving 
the colony, as he supposed, secure against 
I any contingency, however adverse, wlietfier 
from the severity of the weather, or tlie as- 
saults of the Indians. But all his calcula- 
tions were miserably defeated by the worth- 
lessness, extreme insubordination, and licen- 
tiousness of the colonists. 

"Smith left the colony furnished .vith three slui« 
good fornlicutions, twenty-five pieces of carmon. 
arms, ammunition, apyarel, [^r.'"*"^ At I.n ps' 
dmg and tools for all kmds of labour. At Jan es^ 
-T^ovvn there were nearly sixty houses. 1 lie settlers 
had began to plant, and to fortity at tive or six other 
Placed The number of inhabitants was nearly five 
h ndred They had just gathered m their Indian 
a vest and, &es,l4d considerable provision in 
hp7r stores Thev had bet^veen five and six hun- 
dred S 'an eq ill number of fowls, some goats 
ami sonfe'sheep.. They had ^l^o^boa f ^^ets 'ii^ 
good accommodauonsforfishmg. ^f .^"^'V'^' H'*' 
fedhion, idlene.ss, and dissipation of this mad peo] le 
ha hev were soon reduced to the most miserable 
SrcunisLnces. No sooner was Caotain Smith gone, 
ban he savages, provoked by th..ir dissolute prac 
1 ces and encouraged bv their want of govcrn- 
meiU revolted, hunted and slew them from phice 
to ace' NaAsemoiKl. the plantation at tlie alls 
™d ail the out-settlements were abandoned. In a 
short time nearly forty of the company were cut 
' off n-^he enemy^ Theii" time and provisions ue -e 
churned ni rio't; their utensils --e ,f "lenj de 
siroved ; their hogs, sheep, and low s kdled and car 
r ed off bv the Indian.^ The sword without, and la- 
m'ne and sickness within, soon made among iheni 
TpriS destruction. Within the term of six 
on'hs of their whole number, sixty only survived. 
T oiwere mostly poor, famis-iing ^"etclies. siib- 
'iilin- chiefiv on herbs, acorns, and berries. Such 
Siefamhie, that thev ied,on 'h^^.tkms of hea 
dead horses; nay, they bodeo ^''^ a e he lesh o 
the dead. Indc»d, tliey were reduced to sue ti ex 
tren i^V, tha had ihev not been relieved, the ^^hole 
ireiuiiN, i. j^^^.^ been ex- 

t^'S:.XSX^£^ii^^-^^ of idleness, faction, 
and want of proper sulHirdmai ion. ,,,,,„„. 

All the difficulties and disasters that have 
occurred in Liberia, from the commencement 
of the settlement till the present time fall 
flir short of a tithe of the calamities winch 
befol the settlers in Virginia in si.x months. 
We have not as many detadsot the d.sas- 
tcrs in North Carolina. ^^ illmmson, its his- 
torian, is verv brief on the subject ; bu he 
tells enough -to prove that similar disorders 
and similar disasters took place there. The 

• Hohness Ainials, Vol T. page GO. 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



?«S?^ was commenced in 1668; and in 
lby4, " the list of taxables was only 787 be- 
ing little more than half the number that 
were there in 1677," seventeen years before 
' buch, says the writer, " were the baneful 
ettects of rapine, anarchy, and idleness."* 
Philadelphia, April 18, 1832. 



17 

the limits ofthe United States, or within the lim.te 
ol any of theirierntories." 

Resolution of the legislature of Maryland, 1819. 
enn^:f° 'T.i'i'f """""^ly- '^h?' 'ii^ governor b 



LETTER VLII. 
Legislative and ecclesiastical proceedings 
in favour of Colonization, and of the So- 
ciety.— Connecticut , New Jersey, Ken- 
lucky, Delaware, ^.lasscchusetts, Tennes- 
see, Indiana, Pcnnsylvayiia, Maryland,d-c. 
—^ynodof Ulica.—Seneral Assembly of 
the Presbyterian Church.— Methodist E 
f^onjerence, <^c. <^~c. 

The Colonization Society has, by nerse- 
<ferance^ and by the i:r^-insic meri^ of its 

views, at length " won golden opinions" from 

the greater part of the nation. The lejrisla- 

vf' o^/^urteen states, New Hampshire, 

V ermoiit, Connecticut, New York, New Jer- 
sey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland; 

Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentaci.-y 

Ohio, and Indiana, have passed resolutions 

Ion 'JinJ^tr.'r™'"f "^ ?' '''^"^^^ «'' '^- I •^",''*-™-" ^^ "« "gnfs of ,nd,v^dnali; and that 
mnlt f .K ^'^"^ coloured population, and hf \«y«te>n should be predicated upon the pS 
most of them approving of the objecis of the ^IV^""' * ; "-^'^ff^^'^^ is « national one, and 
Society Eleven of those states hava in- tr.Hnffy^f !"'^ the _ States of th.s union, ought 
structed their senators, and requested th^i- 
representatives in Congress, to promotsrin 



requested to coranuuncate to the President of thi 
United States, and to ou. senators and representa 

biy, that a wise and provident policy suggests the 
expediency,on the part of our national gov^rnmem. 
procuring through negociation. by cession or pur, 
chase, a tract of country on tlie •.^4stern coast of 

itr^^Se UniSSi:"^ °'^^'^ ''^^ P^°P'^ «f- 

Rf^olve of the Legi.hture, of Connecticut, 1824. 
Kesolved, That the existence of slavery in the 
United States is a great national evil, and iliat the 
people and the States ought to participate fn the 
burdens and dunes of removing it, by all just and 
prudent measures, which may be adopted Lh a^t 

fnAlV !'""'' f r''" "'"^ '"""'"i harmony. 
and that a system of colonization, under the patron- 
age oi the general government, may reasonably 
be deemed conducive to so desirable an object." 

Resolve of the Legislature of New Jersey, 1825. 
-Resolved, That in the opinion of this legislature, 
a s)stem ol foreign colonization, with correspondent 
measures, might be adopted, that ivo„ld,T due 
lime, ehect the entire emancipation of slaves in this 
country, and furnish an asjdum for the Iree blackj . 
vnthout any violation of the national compact, or in- 
Jringement oj the rights of individuals; and that 



me general government, measures for re- 
moving such free persons of colour as are 
desirous of emigrating to Africa. And 
"nearly all the ecclesiastical bodies in the 



^„ . ;? -r -J-— r'r '"" -^'""oiy cms union, ousht 
muaialty to participate in the duties and burdens of 
removing it. ^ 



Of the Legislature of Delaware. 
■' l{esolved by the senate and house of representa- 
tives of the state of Delaware, in general .assembly 
mel 1 hat it is reqmsite for our prosperity, and. what 
IS ol more important concern, essen'ial to our safe. 



FT u j-'cT -^^^itraiasucai DOOies in the ; .1 ^'""'"" ^^"'■em, essentia^ lo our saie. 

United States have, by re.solutions, fullv e-- r'' "'^;, "measures should be taken, for the removal 
pressed their opinion, that the Society me- lauoes" '°""''^' °^ "^'^ ^''' "^°'-°^^ ^^ ">"■ 
ChH^.H.n''""''^'''^'"'" ^"^ favour of the wliole '' Resolved, That this general assembly approve 
Christian community, and earnestly recom- T^ °'^>^'? of the American ColonizS SocietV 
mend it to their patronage." It would ex- '"'! consider that those objects deserve public sup-' 
tend this letter too far, to enumerate tTe rw^Vw"^ '^if' '^'•^- ""?^'"° '^'^ ^"^^^ 
various testimonials of individuairandpubtnmt^^^^^^^ ^"^•^"""^'^•^' ^^ -* ^^e 

bodies in this country and in Europe, in fa- ' 
vour of the Society. From Great Britain, 
they have been of the most flatterin<r charac- 



ter, accompanied by liberal donations. The 
Society of Friends, in England, sent £2000 
sterling to their brethren in North Carolina 
to aid the cause of emigration. I annex some 
specimens : 

LEGISLATURES. 

Resolution of the Legislature of Tennessee, 1818. 
Kesolved, by the general asserablv of the state 
of Tennessee, That the senators in cLgress f rom 
this state be, and thev are hereby requested and 
instructed • and that the represeLtiv'efLe aS 
LentoHh^^ir^ '^T'''^^ *" g'^'*' 'o "'e govem 

^^^^^:^^U^r^'- sen^ahves of Pennsylvania, m general -ass;n;bi3; 

have fo? its obje^ "he rln^in- t ""l' ""'"^ T'' P'"'-'" ''^^ "P"""" "^ ^his general assembly. 

country, the SpeonirXSlhT^ distant the American Colomzation Society eminently de- 

y, e iree people ot colour who are within mands the support of the national government and 

*WiUiamson's History of North r«roi;n„ v i i "'''! ?"'' '™'''"'"' be directed, and that the repre- 
page 144. ^ Carohna, Vol. I. sentatives m congress be requested to aid the same 

I by all proper and constitutional means." 



Resolve of the Legislature of Kentvchy, 1827 
" ^^'°\\^^Jyy the general assembly of the com 
monwealth of Kennickj-, That they view uiih deep 
and Inendly interest, the exertions of the American 
Colonization Society in establishing an asylum on 
the coast of Africa, for the free people of colour of 
the United States; and that the senators and repre- 
sentaiives in Congress from this state be, and thev 
are nereby requested, to use their efforts to facilitate 
the removal of such free persons of colour as mav 
desire to emigrate from the United States to the co- 
lony in Africa, and to insure to them the protection 
and patronage of the general government, so far as 
shall be deemed consistent widi the safety and in- 
terest of die United Slates." 

Resolution of the Senate of Pennsylvania, 1829 
"Be It resolved by the senate and house of repre- 
sentatives of Pennsylvania, in general assen bly 

iiipt Thnt 111 tlio nn,,,,.^^ „r .1.:.. ;_.. _ i . . ■' 



18 



LETTERS ON THE 



. Be if.esolve-'d by .he !•"<'"' "S— Ma- to brmg.ng abo„. .he grea. end co„.emp!a.ed. 

'^:S!jS'ShiX. Pht";SZ, ™, /ee. -!^£-^-- -bT^^^^^^^^ 

"-'«:„. X,»,%./-S-"-C&..e of ?o7.;Sf.:tS:.'e'h» 

..Re»lved by ihe general 5?«'*\v »' ' =,'''S e," V.he co,„a,h.ee ,n behalf ol .he benevolent e« 
or01uo,Thaloar»e..aior.mCo£e«oc^ j,eir | ertion. of .he Socie.y. 



interest of our common country. 

Lonisiam Legtslaf<ire. 



!.Th. objec. and plans of .he American SKliety 

ted »«a\e. uavi b . considered and dis- 



teresi oi oui Lu.u...- . tli^totpc havinc been stated to tne genera. a=:^<.... 

Srand SdTXre. » ra/j «1 g»v -iSTh^o e'Te - ' "V J« Ttj S ££ 



■solutions of we ^^''■''"■''"V^.r-f A„ril 1832. 
Ke%*rNl\ril"^;ep».e^ .b« f»"«"»i= 

''?Ssdj:^t.-;e=^^^^^^ 

nesoiveu, , • ,g of ,Vie American Colo- 

and approve the "'Jf '^ °' , „onfidence m the 
nization Society, and 'i^^^^.,^ ''' ^f° HVecutive of- 
fidelity, discretion, and ability ot ns excou 

ficers 



Sslec* «d, .bV" ?Jmbl S;:.. .ha, .he pn^ 

"""? ^i ^ s.nr, oVmE?» 

=iK^«"|^Hb^iIXE^S 

Africa, and happily '^'i'.^^'','^^;" V^iKves in this coun- 



' Resolved, That as 



1 ability ot ns exe..... ^^^^^^ *°/"rrifeoole of coiour of the Umted 

the said society proposes to "jJlJ^'-^^fi^.'^X.ale and attention of ih^^^ 

isting evils, and Prevent or ^ate.^ ,heir care, and to benevolent indniduals 



remove or mit'pto exist nge^.!s and prev--- 
diminish apprehended dangers, it ^^^'^^ -^^^^ 
confidence and encouragement of the America 

P'-'Resolved, That the senate commend the said so- 
ciety STe consideration and patronage of tne c.t. 
zons of this state. 



Ss '°£ 'r ;'s ,:; .;=». n,d,viduai. 



y ,0 the consideration ana pauu...... prove of the ob.,ecx P"P--'"^, of colour of the 

.yillS^at the.e resolutions be transmitted ^^^i^^;^^ tt'i^e.^olmcerely wish^ 
to tl!!r— ^1^ tlte assembly lor their consulera- ^^^^^^^ ,,„ „.o said socne^r^V meet vvitb 

^^h. resolutions passed the house of ^^^-:::;:^ 

- • ■• - ■■•- — ' ^'^.VSe^si OcU'.r, 1819, the fdlowmg resolu- 

tim was unanimoudu ''f;i;f^^:. 



with hardly a dissenting voice 

FCCLESIASTICAL BODIES. 



June, 1818. 






"'* "• ' ' ' 1 telligent and f-^"^";-,;-^;:;;,!;; object ol uhuh 

w'VS;n„.end,oa,lo,,r.,£3g.™eUs:^S^^ 



,lour 



Isii isii ilpii=f lis 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



ginia do recommend, and they do hereby cordially 
recommend ro all the members of the churches and 
congregations under their care, to aid the design 
of the said Society according to opportunity and 
abdity, by their countenance, their contributions, 
and their prayers to Ahnighty God for its success."' 
At an annual meeting of the Convention of the Con- 
gregational clergy of Coimeciicut, at Hartford, 

•• Resolved, That this Convention does cheerfully 
recommend the American Colonization Society, to 
the charitable consideration of the Congregational 
churches in this sute, as an ijistitution worthy of 
the patronage of individuals, of the states, and of the 
nation. 

"Resolved, That this convention cordially ap- 
proves of the measures proposed by several ecclesi- 
astical bodies in our country, of making collections 
m the chiurches, for the American Colonization So- 
ciety, on the Sabbath munediately preceding or suc- 
ceeding the 4th of July, and tliat they recommend 
such annual collections to churches and congrega- 
tions m this state." 



19 

Resolution of the General Assembly of the Presbyte 
rian church, 1830. 
" Resolved, That it be recommended to all the 
churches under the care of the general assembly, to 
take up collections for the Colonization Society, on 
the next 4th of July." 

Resolution of the Philadelphia Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, 1831. 
" Resolved, That the Conference highly approv- 
ing of the plan and purposes of the American Colo- 
nization Society, do recommend that collections be 
taken up throughout the churches within our 
bounds, so far as is practicable, on the 4th of July 
next, m aid of the funds of the above Society." 
From the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed 
church. 
"Resolved, That this synod cheerfully recom- 
mend to the patronage of the churches under their 
care, the American Colonization Society. 

"Resolved, That whenever meetmgs shall be 
held on the 4th of July, it be earnestly recommended 
to have collections made in behalf of this insti- 
tution." 



Extract from the Minutes of the Baptist General Resolution of the Baltimore Methodist Annual Con 
Convention of fhp. S/n/fi of f)h;r, ir„„ oq ict? j- i wmui, v^o« 



Convention of the State of Ohio, May 28, 1827. 

" Resolved, That tliis convention highly approve 
of the objects of the Colonization Society, and tiiat 
we recommend to our ministers and brethren gen- 
erally, to use their influence to advance its inter- 
ests." 



Ohio Methodist Conference. 
"At a special meeting of the "Ohio Local District 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, held 
Jime 18th, 1827 : 

"Resolved, That this conference cordially ap- 
prove the benevolent objects of the American Colo- 
nization Society, and that all the preachers within 
Its jurisdiction be, and they are hereby earnestly re- 
quested to deliver public addresses, and to take up 
public collections, m support of the colonization 
cause, on the 4th day of July, annually, or on the 
Sabbath immediately preceding or succeeding that 
day, wherever it may be found practicable." 
Resolution of the Lutheran St/nod. 
At a meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran church 
of West Peimsylvania, Mifffin, Sept. 30, 1827, the 
synod, 

"Resolved, That this sjTiod highly approve of 
the institution and proceedings of the American 
Colonization Society, and most earnestly recommend 
Its interests and advancement to the prayers and 
patronage of all the churches under their care." 
Resolutions of the General Conference of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. May, 1828. 
"Resolved, 1st. That this conference highly ap- 
prove of the objects proposed, and the measures 
taken by the American Colonization Society, in re- 
ference to the colonization of the free people of co- 
lour on the coast of Africa. 

"2d. That this conference look to the settlement 
of Liberia, as opening a door for the difRision of all 
the benign influences of the gospel, over the conti- 
nent of Africa ; and therefore recommend it to our 
ministers and members, to aid, by their exertions 
and influence, in the formation and support of aux- 
iliary societies, and the making annual collections 
to aid incarrymg into effect the benevolent designs 
of the parent institution." 

Resolution of the Synod of Utica, N. Y. 1829. 
" Resolved, That all clergymen within the boimds 
of tliis synod be, and they hereby are, most ear- 
nestly requested, to take up collections and sub- 
scriptions yearly, on or near the fourth of July, as 
a proper mode of aiding tlie funds of the Coloniza- 
tion Society ; and that, as far as practicable, they 
enable their people to understand the history, de- 
sign, progress, and prospects of the Society." 



ference. 

" Resolved, by the 'Baltimore annual conference 
in conference assembled. That we highly approve 
the objects of the American Colonization Society 
and that we will use all prudent means to promote' 
Its success, by taking up collections in aid of its 
funds, on the Sabbath preceding or succeeding the 
4th of July, m all places where it is practicable"" 
Resolution of the New York Methodist Annual Con- 
ference. 

" Resolved, That each preacher in charge, be ad- 
vised, with the consent of the official members, to 
take up a collection in one or more of the principal 
c-ongregations of his cu-cuit or station, in behalf of 
the Colonization Society, on the 4th of July next, or 
on the Sabbath immediately preceding or succeed- 
mg that day." 

The following resolution was passed, at the late ses- 
.'!wn of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
C-hurch, May 1832. " 

" Wiiereas, it is the opinion of this body, that Afri- 
can colonization is eminently calculated to benefit 
a long-pei-secnted and deeply-injured race, by fur- 
nishing to the free people of colour an opportunity 
to escajje from the oppression which they suffer in 
this country— by removing the obstacles to the vo- 
luntary emancipation of the slaves ; and especially 
by tlie facilities it affords for suppressing the horrid 
traffic in human flesh on the coast of Africa, and 
for the introduction of Christianity and civilization 
into that benighted continent. Therefore, 

"Resolved, That it be earnestly recomrnended to 
tlie pastors of all the churches under the care of the 
General Assembly, to bring the claims of the Ame- 
rican Colomzation Society before tlieir respective 
congregations ; and that it be recommended to the 
churches, to take up collections in aid of its funds 
on the 4th of July, or some Sabbath near it." 



GRAND JURY. 

Resolutions of the Grand Jury in Rosscountu, Ohio 
March, 1827. 

"\Vhereas, the benevolent .scheme to colonize 
the free people of colour on the continent of Africa, 
merits the decided concurrence and entire appro- 
bation of the members which compose the grand 
jury: 

"Therefore resolved. That we, the members of 
this grand jury, do hereby concur in the great and 
benevolent plan, instituted by the American Colo- 
nization Society at Washington city, for the purpiose 
of colonizing the free people of colour on the con- 
tinent of Africa; and do recommend it to the pa- 
tronage of the good people of this county." 



LETTERS ON THE 



20 

LETTER IX. I 

Situation of the Colonists in Liberia.— Soil, 
and Climate. — Productions and Com-\ 
merce.— Morals and Manners.— Testi- ] 
mony of a Committee in Monrovia,— Of 
Captain Nicholson. 

The subjects discussed in tliisletter,areof 
paramount importance. Whatever consider- 
ations of policy, ia regard to this country, 
might plead in favour of the scheme of colo- 
nization, it would not have the sanction of 
the friends of mankind, of those who com- 
miserate the depressed condition of the co- 
loured population of the United States, if 
the situation of the emigrants were not ma- 
nifestly improved. To place this vital point, 
on a basis as firm as the rock of Gibraltar, I 
have collected what may be regarded as a 
superfluity of testimony; as that of any one of 
the parties would be sufficient tc remove all 
doubts from the minds of all persons open to 
conviction. But it seemed right, in such a 
case, " to make assurance doubly sure." 

Of a circular, forwarded by a committee of 
the inhabitants of Monrovia, to their brethren 
in the United States, dated September 1827, 
the following is the substance : 



EXTRACT. 

" As much speculation and uncertainty continues 
to prevail among the people of colour in the United 
States respectin<T our situation and prospects in 
Africa ; and manv misrepresentations have been put 
111 circulation there, of a nature slanderous to us, 
and, in tlieir effects, injurious to ihem ; we felt it our 
dutv, by a true siaiement of our circumstances, to 
endeavour to correct them. 

»' Tkefirsl amsideralion which caused our volunta- 
ry removal to Ihii coiintrif, and the object, which u:e 
still resard with the deepest concern, is liberty— ii- 
berty. in the sober, simple, but complete sense oJ 
the word ; not a licentious liberty, nor a liberty 
without government, or which should place us with- 
out the restraint of salutary laws— but that liberty 
of speech, action, and ccmscience, which oisiiii- 
ffujsh<-s the free, enfranchised citizens of a tree 
state. We did not enjoi) that freedom in our native 
country; and, from causes which, as respects our- 
selves, we shall soon forget forever, we were certain 
it was not there aUaiuaUe for ourselves or our chil- 
dren This, then, being the first object oi our pur- 
suit in coming to Afi-ica, is prcbably tiie first object 
ou which vou will ask for information. And we 
must trulv declare to you, thai our expectations and 
hopes, in" this respect, have been realized. Our 
constitution secures to us, so far a-s our condition al- 
low "all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the 
citizens of the United States;" and these rights and 
privileges are ours -.—we are proprietors of the s<>d 
toe live on, and possess the rights of freeholders. Our 
suf rages, and, what is of more importance, our sentt- 
menti and our nninions. have thin due weight in the 
government we live under. Our laws are altogether 
our own: they gr<nu out of our circumstances; are 
frameil for our exclusive benefit, and administered 
either bii officers of our own appointment, cr such as 
possess oiir amtidence. We have a judiciary, chosen 
from among ourselves; we serve as jurors in the 
trial of others; and are liable to be Iriod only by 
inries of our fellow-citiwus ourselves. Ue h-ive all 
that IS meant hi, liberty of conscience. The lime .niid 
mode of \\orshipplng God, aa prescribed to us in his 
u,.i-.l, luid chelated liv our <-oiiKciciice. we arc not 



only free to follow, but are protected in foUow- 

" Forming a community of our own, in the land of 
our forefathers; having the commerce, and soil, 
and resources of the country, at our disposal ;«« 
know nothing (f that debasing inferiority with which 
our very colour stamped us in America: there is no- 
thing here to create the feeling on our part— nothing 
to cherish the feeling of superiority m the minds of 
foreigners who visit us. It is this moral emancipa- 
tion— this liberation of the mind from worse than 
iron fetters — that repays us ten thousand, times over, 
for all that it has cost us, and makes us grateful to 
God and our American patrons, for the happy change 
that has taken place in our situation. We are not so 
self-complacent as to rest satisfied with our improve- 
ment, either as regards our minds or our circum- 
stances. We do not expect to remain stationary. 
Vat from it. But we certainly feel ourselves, for 
the first time, in a state to improve either, to any 
purpose. The burden is gone from our shoulders ; 
we now breathe and move freely ; and know not, 
(in surveying your present state) for wluch to pity 
vou most— the empty name of liberty, which you 
endeavour to content yourselves with, in a country 
that is not yours, or the delusion which makes you 
hope for ampler privileges in that country hereaf- 
ter. Tell us, wliich is the white man, who, with a 
prudent regard to his own character, can associate 
with on.3 of vou, on terms of equably ? Ask us, 
which is llie' white man who would decline sucli 
association ^\ith one of our number, whose intellec- 
tual and moral qualities are not an objection ? 1 
both these questions, we unhesitatingly make the 
same answer :— There is no such white man. 

" We solicit noneofyou to emigrate to this country . 
for we know not who among you prifers rational in- 
dependence, and the honest respect oJ his fellow men, 
to that menial sloth and cardess poverty which you 
already possess, and your children will inherit after 
you, in America. But if vour views and aspirations 
rise a degree higher— if jour minds are not as ser- 
vile as your present condition— we can decide the 
question at once ; and with confidence say, that you 
will bless the dav, and your children after you, 
when you determined to become citizens of Lioe 

" But we do not hold this language on the bless- 
ings of libertv, fbr the iniriwse of consoling oui-sel ves 
for the sacrifice of health, or the suffering of want, 
in consequence of our removal to Africa. V\ e cn- 
iov health, after a few months' residence m the 
countrv. as unifbrmlv.and in as perfect a degree, as 
we possessed that blessing in our native country 
And a disiressiuc scarcity of provisions, or any ot 
the comforts of life, has, for the last two years, been 
entirely unknown, even to the jioorcst persons in 
this cdmmunitv. On these points there are, and 
have been much misconception, and some malicious 
misrepresentations in the U. States. 

" The true character rf the African climate is not 
well understood in other countries. Its inhabitants are 
as robust, as healthy, as long lived, to say the least, 
as those of any other coimiry. Nothing like an epi- 
demic has ever appeared in this colony ; nor can 
we learn from the natives, thai tiie calamity of a 
svveepinc sickness ever yet visited this part of the 
continent. But the change from a temperate to a 
troi)i( al country is a greai one— too great not to at- 
fect the health more or les.'-— and, in the cases ol 
old peoi;!e,aiid very young children, it oflen causes^ 
death. In the early veai^ of the c(.lony, want _o. 
good houses, the great fatigues and dangen; of llie 
settlers tiie^r irregular mode of living, and the liard- 
ships and discouragements they met with, greutfv 
helped the other causes of sickness, which prevailed 
to an alarmineexieiU.and were attended with great 
mortality. But we look back to those iimesasa sca- 
1 son o'- trial long past, and nearly forgotten. Ihir 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



21 



houses and circumstances are now comfortable ; 
and, for the last two or three years, not one person 
in forty, from the middle and southern slates, has 
died from the change of climate. Thedisastrous fate 
of tlie company of settlers who came out from Bos- 
ton in the brig Vine, eighteen months ago, is an ex- 
ception to the common lot of emigrants ; and the 
causes of it ought to be explained. Tliose people 
left a cold region in the coldest part of wmter, and 
arrived here in the hottest season of our year. Many 
of them were too old to have survived long in any 
country. They most imprudently neglected the 
prescriptions of oiir very successful physician, the 
Kev. Lott ("ary, who has great experience and great 
skill in the fevers of the country; and depended on 
medicines brought with them, which could not liiil 
to prove injurious. And, in consequence of all 
those unfortunate circumstances, their sufferings 



were severe, and many died. But we are not ap- hie employment. 



the bounty of Divine Providence to say, that we ge- 
nerally enjoy the good things of tliis life to our en 
tire .satisfaction, 

" Our trade is chiefly confined to the coast, to the 
interior parts of the continent, and to foreign ves- 
sels. It is already valuable and fast increasing. It 
is carried on in the productions of tiie country, con- 
.sisting of rice, palm oil, ivory, tortoise shell, dye 
woods, gold, hides, wax, and a small amount of col' 
fee : and it brings us, in return, the products and 
manufactures of the four ((uariers of the world. 
Seldom, indeed, is our harbour clear of European 
and American shipping ; and the bustle and throng 
ing of our streets, show something, already, of the 
activity of the smaller seaports of the United States. 

" Mtchaaks of nearly every traJe, arc carrying on 
their various occupali<ms ; Iheir wagrs are high, and 
a large number would be sure of constant and projila 



prehensive that a sunilar calamity vtill befiiU any 
future emigrants, except under similar disadvan- 
tages. 

" People now arriving, have comfortable houses to 
receive them ; ivill enjoy the regular attendance of a 
physician in the slight sickness that may await them; 
will be surrounded and attended by health y and happy 
people, who have borne the effects of the climate, who 
wilt encourage arid fortify them against that despon- 
dency which, alone, has carried off several in the first 
years of the colony. 

" But you may say, that even health and freedom, 
as good as they are, are still dearly paid for, when 
tliey cost you the common comforts of life, and ex- 
pose your wives and children to famine, and all the 
evils of want and poverty'. We do not dispute the 
soundness of this conclusion either; but we utterly 
deny that it has any application to the people of Li- 
beria. 

" Away with all the false notions that are circula- 
ting about the barrenness of this country: they are 
the observations of such ignorant and designing 
men, as would injure both it and you. A more fer- 
tile soil, and a more productive country so far as it is 
culliva'ed, there is not, we believe, on the face of the 
earth. Its hills and plains are covered with a ver- 
dure which never fades: the productions of nature 
keep on in their growth through all the seasons o( 
the year. Even the natives of the country, almost 
without farming tools, without skill, ai;d with very 
little labour, make more grain and vegetables than 
they can consume, and often more than they can 
sell. 

" Cattle, swine, fowls, ducks, goafs, and sheep, thrive 
without feeding, ami require no other care than to 
Iceep theiii from straying. Cotton, coffee, indigo, and 
the sugar cane, are nil the spontaneous growth of our 
forests; and may be cultivated, at pleasure, to any 
extent, by such as are disposed. The same may he 
said of rice, Indian corn, guinea corn, millet, and 
too many species of fniits and vegetables to be enu- 
meralei'l. Add to all this, we have no dreary win- 
ter here, for one half of the year to consume the pro- 
ductions of the other half. Nature is constantly 
renewing herself, and constantly pouring her trea- 
sures, all the year round, into the laps of the indus- 
trious. We could say, on this subject, more ; but 
we are afraid of exciting, too highly, the hopes of the 
nnprudent. Such persons, we think, will do well 
to keep their rented cellars, and earn their tv\enty- 
five cents at the wheelbarrow, in the commercial 
towns of America, and stay where they are. It is 
only the industrious and virtuous that we can point 
to independence, and plenty, and kapjnness, in this 
country. Such people are nearly sure to attain, in 
a very few years, to a style of comfortable living, 
which tliey may in vain hope for in the United 
States ; and, however short we come of this charac 



Not o child or youth in the colony, but is provided 
with an appropriate sehool. We have a numerous 
public library, and a court house, meeting houses, 
school houses, and fortilications sufficient, or nearly 
so, for the colony, in its present state. 

"Our houses are constructed of the same materials, 
and finished in the same style, as in the towns of 
America. We have abundance of good building 
stone, shells for lime, and clay, of ,aii excellent qua- 
lity, for bricks. Timber is plentiful, of various kinds, 
and fit fur all tlie diff'trent purposes of building and 
fencing. 

"Truly we have a goodly heritage : and if there 
is any thing lacldng in the character or condition of 
the people of this colony, it never can be charged 
to the account of the country, it must be the fruit 
of our own mismanagement, or slothfulness, or vices 
But from these evils we confide in Ilim, to whom ' 
we are indebted for all our blessings, to preserve 
us. It is the topic of our weekly and daily thanks- 
giving to Almighty God, both in public and in pri 
vate, and He knows with what sincerity, that we 
were ever conducted, by his Providence, to this 
shore. Such great favours, in so short a time, and 
mixed with so few trials, are to he ascribed to no- 
thing but his special blessing. This we acknow- 
ledge. We only want the gratitude which such 
signal favours call for., Kor are we willing to close 
this paper, without adding a heartfelt testimonial of 
the deep obligations we owe to our American pa- 
trons and best earthly benefactors, whose wisdom 
pointed us to this home of our nation, and whose ac- 
tive and persevering benevolence enabled us to 
reach it. Judge, then, of the feelings, with vvliich 
we hear the motives and doings of the Colonization 
Society traduced ; and that, too, by men too igno- 
rant to know what the Sorietv has accomplished ; 
too weak to look through its plans and inreiitions; 
or too dishonest to acknowledge either. But, with- 
out pretending to anv prophetic sagacity, we can 
certainly predict to that society, the ultimate tri- 
umph of the;'" h.opes and labours, and disappoint- 
ment aivi defeat to all who oppose them. Men may 
theorize, and speculate about ilicir plans in Ame- 
rica, but lliere can be no speculation here. The 
cheerful abodes of civilization and hiippincss which 
are scattered over this verdant mountain — the flou- 
rishing settlements which ar? spreading around it — 
ths sound of christian instruction, and scenes of 
christian worship, which are heard, and seen in lhi.s 
land of brooding pagan darkness— a thou.sand con- 
tented freemenruniTed in forming a new clirisiian 
empire, happy themselves, and instruments of hap- 
piness to others — every object, every individual, i.<J 
an argument, is demonstration, of the wisdom and 
goodness of the [.Ian of colonization. 

" Where is the argument thai shall refute facts 
like these ? And wheie is the man hardy enough 



»er ourselves, it is only a due acknowledgment of |V» deny tliem?" 

D 



22 



LETTERS ON THE 



Estmct of a letter from Capt. Nickolsrm, (f the U. 
S. ihip, Orilarto, to the Hon. Henry Clay. 

" Washington, March 17, 1828. 
" Having visited the colony of Liberia, on my re- 
rum to the United Slates, from a cruise in ihe Me- 
diierraneun, I cheeri'ully comply uith your reriuest, 
by presenting to you such views of its present con- 
dition and probable growth, as occurred to me in 
the course of that visit. 

" The soil in the possession of the colonists is rich, 
and will produce a superabundance for the support, 
of the colony, as well as for external commerce. Su- 
gar, cotton, coffee, rice, and various trees and plants, 
yielding valuable dyes, and medicinal gums, can be 
cultivate-d with success. 

" The children born in the country, are fine look- 
ing, and I presume can be raised as easily as those 
of the natives. All the colonists with whom I had 
communication (and with nearly the whole of thern 
did I communicate, in person, or by my ofTicers,) ex- 
pressed their decided wish to remain in Iherr present 
situation, rather than return again to the United 
States. I cannot give vou better evidence of the 
prosperity of the ^ olony, than by mentioning, tliat 
eight of my crew, (coloured mechanic::,) after going 
ashore two several days, applied for and received 
their discharge, in order to remain as permanent set- 
tiers. These men had been absent from their coun- 
try upwards of three yeai"s, and had among them 
nearly two thousand dollars in clothes and money. 
Had they not boen thoroughly convinced, that their 
happiness and prosperity would be belter promoted 
by remaining among their free brethren in Liberia, 
they would not have determined on so momentous 
a step as quitting the United States, perliaps forever, 
where they had ail left friends and relatives. 

" The appearance of all the colonists, those of 
Monrovia as well as Caldwell, indicated more than 
contentment. Their manners were those of free- 
men, who experienced the blessings of liberty, and 
appreciated the boon. Rlaity of them had, by trade, 
accumulated a competency, if the possession of from 
three to five thousand dollars may be called so. As 
a proof of the growing importance of the commerce 
of the country, more than one hundred hogsheads 
of tobacco had been imported, during the last year, 
and the demand was increasing. Ivory and cam- 
wood are now the prominent articles received in 
exchange, for foreign imports ; other dye-woods, and 
many medicinal gums and roots, will be hereafter 
brought in, as they are already known to exist in 
the interior. 

" The importance of this colony, as regards the 
native tribes of the coast, is, in my estimation, great. 
They already begin to perceive, that it is civiliza- 
tion and the blessings of religion, which give supe- 
nority to man over his fellow man. Tlicy had sup- 
posed it was the white skin ; l)nt now they sec in 
their neighbourhood, men of tlieir own colour, en- 
joying all taose advantages, hitherto deemed pecu- 
liar to the former. This has elicited a spirit of in- 
quirv, which must tend to their benefit. The (ihi- 
lanthropist may anticipate the dav, when our lan- 
cuage and our religion will spread over this now 
benighted laud. The slave trade will cease, as the 
colony progresses, and extends its settlements. The 
veri/ s/int where 7ioti> exists a free penjde, was a de- 
pot for the reception of mnnacled stales. This fact 
alone is entitled to cotisidcnition, and ought to 
an)iise the zeal of the friends of himianity every 
vvhere. 

" I take leave to mention, that the climate is 
miU'li like that of all similar latitudes; and as the 
land in rich, iind most of it still in woods, we must 
ei[)Pct that liiiious fever will sninetiuies prevail : 
but I do not think it more iiiihealthv to liie coloureil 
people, than our extreme southern coast ; and as the 
Hoil of LilieriH becomes dear an<i cultivated, I have 



southern latitude. It was, I believe, never intended 
that the wliile man should iidiabit this region of the 
globe ; at least, we know that the diseases of this 
climate are more filial to him, than to the man of 
colour. They luxuriate in the intense heat, while 
a wlute man sinks under its exhausting intiuences. 
JOIL^ B. NICHOLSOjN." 



LETTER X. 
Suhjects continued. — Letter from Captain 
Sherman — -from Captain Kennedy — -front 
Captain Weaver — from Captain Abels. 
Extract of a letter from W. E. SIterman, Captain 
of the Liberia, which carried the Colonials to Li- 
beria, in January, 1830, to Mr. Edward Hallo- 
well. 

" Phil>J)elphia, May 10, 1830. 
" Monrovia, at present, consists of about ninety 
dwelling houses and stores, two houses for public 
worship, and a court house. Many of the dwellings 
are handsome and convenient, and all of them com- 
lortabie. The plot of the town is cleared more than 
a mile square, elevated about seventy feet above 
the level of the sea, and contains seven hundred 
inhabitants. The streets are generally one hundred 
feet wide, and, lihe those of our goid cil)/, intersect 
each other at risht anfzles. The Colonization So- 
ciety have an agent anil a physician there. 

" The agent is the chief magistrate of the colony 
and the physician his assistant. Ao while jieojjle are 
allouxd to reside in the colony for the purpose of 
trade, or of pursuing any mechanical business, such 
being intended for the exclusive benefit of the co- 
loured people. The colonial secretary, collector of 
customs, surveyor, and constables, are appointed 
by the agent — the vice-agent, sheriff; treasurer, and 
all other civil ollicers are elective, and all the offi- 
ces except that of the agent and physician are filled 
by coloured people. 

"The court holds its sessions on the first Monday 
in every month ; juries are empannelled as with 
us ; and it.s jurisdiction extends over the whole co- 
lony. The trials are, principally, for larceny, and 
the criminals are generally natives, who commit 
thefts in the scttlemcnt.s. A few instances of kid- 
napjiing have occurred ; these depredations were 
commiiled on the recapmrctl Africans. To the ho- 
nour of the emigrants be it mentioned, that but five 
of tftcir number have been committed for stealing or 
inisdemeanor, since 1827. 

" I'wo native kings have put themselves and their 
subject-), (sttpnosed to amount to ten thousand.) under 
the protection of the colony, and are ready, should it 
he thought necessary or expedient by the settlers, 
to put into their hands, arms, to make common cause 
with them, in case of hostilities by any of the na- 
tives ; which, however, is not anticipated, as the 
most friendly disjiosition is m.anilbsted by all thena 
lives of the coiiiiiry, from whom any danger might 
have been apprehended. 

"There is much hospitalitv' to be found in Mon- 
rovia, and among the inhabitants a greater propor- 
tion of moral and religious characters than in this 
city. / never saw a man intoxicated, nor heard any 
profane swearing during the three weeks I was among 
them. 

" Tlie two houses for religions worship, are Baptist 
and Methodist — The Baptists have three, and Me- 
thodists five preachers, all intelligent coloured men, 
merchants :uid traders, residing among them ; so 
that the people have nothing to (wiy for the support 
of ministers. Five (tcriuan missionaries, some minis- 
ters and teachers, reside there, a {wrtion of whom 
preach at ihe Methodist church occasionally. 

" It has been objecteil that the climate is very un- 
healthy — this is true, a* it respects ihe whites, but 



no doubt It will be found a.s healthy us any other] erroneous as respects the coloured people. Those 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



n 



from the middle and. northern states, have to undergo 
what is called a seasoning — that is, they generalhi 
take ihe . fever the first month of their residence, but 
it lias rarely proved fatal, since accommodations 
have been prepared for their reception ; those from 
Georgia, the Carolinas, and the southern parts of 
Virginia, either escape the fever altogether, or have 
it very slightly. Death occurs there, indeed, as in 
other places; but Dr. Mechlin, the agent, assured 
me that the bills of mortality would show a less 
proportion of deaths, than those of Baltimore, Phila- 
delphia or New York. W. E. SHERMAN." 

Letter from Captain Kennedy, of the U. S. ship 
Java, to the secj-etary of the Society. 

" Norfolk, June 22, 1831. 

" Sir — I have the honour to aclaiowledge the re- 
ceipt of yours of the 11th inst. requesting my opi- 
nion of the condition and necessities of the colony 
at Liberia. 

" I hope I need not assure you, that it affords me 
great gratification to comply with your request, and 
to lay before yon a statement of the facts which pre- 
sented themselves to me, during the visit I made 
to Montserado, in the frigate Java, under my com- 
mand. 

'• The wisdom and talent which distinguish the 
councils of the Society to which you belong, and 
the vast materials which your experience and zeal 
have enabled you lb collect, cause great diffidence 
on my part, in the suggestion of any new plan of 
operations. I was, however, not an idle observer, 
during my stay among the colonists, and the con- 
clusions which pressed ui«n my mind, as the re- 
sults of my inquiries, shall be most cheerfully sub- 
mitted for your better jinlgment and consideration. 

" It may not he improper to observe in the outset, 
that my inquiries were commenced under auspices 
verj' unfavourable to the practicability of the scheme 
of your Society; for while, I trust, I yielded un- 
feign<^>l acknowledgment of the piety and purity of 
put;j iSP which governed its worthy and disinter- 
estf-; j.!-oectors, yet the vast difliculties attending 
the pro33ciition of their labours, and the very prob- 
lematical results, in the want of success, left an im- 
pression upon my mind, altogether unfavourable to 
the uistitulion — under these impressions, thereiore, 
I commenced my hiquiry with great caution. I 
sought out the most shrewd and mtellige^it of the 
eolonist-s, many of whom were personally known to 
me, and by long and weary conversations, endea- 
voured to elicit from them any dissatisfaction tvilh 
their condition, (jf such existed,) or any latent design 
to return to their native country — neither of these did 
[observe; on the contrary, I thought I coull per- 
ceive that (hey considered that they had started into a 
new existence; thit, disencumbered of the mortify- 
ing relations in which they formerly stood in society 
■they felt themselves proud of their attitude, ani 
seemed conscious, that while they were the found- 
ers of a new empire, they were prosecuting Ihe 
noble purpose of the regeneration of the land of 
their fathers. 

" I was pleased to observe that the}' were im- 
pressed with the vast importance of a proper edu- 
cation, not only of their children, but of the children 
of the natives ; and that to this they looked confi- 
dently as the means of effecting their high object, 
namely, the civilization of their benigiited brethren 
in Africa. 

"1 observed, with great satisfaction, that their 
children, in many instances, could converse in the 
languages of the tribes by which the colony is sur- 
rounded. Thus the obstacles which formerly em- 
barrassed its commerce with the interior, and which, 
by the by, are even now but few, mast, in a verv 
short time, cease entirely to exist Most of the ar- 
iicles of traffic which caii be profitably used in bar- 
ter with the natives, are fiimihar to your readers ; 



but there arc yet some whicli have not emjjloyed 
the enterprise of our citizens, and of those embraced 
in their speculations, many improvements in quality 
might advantageously be enumerated. The inha- 
bitants of King Boatswain's town, (one hundred and 
eighty miles up the Sf. Paul's river, and twenty 
miles li-oni it, which empties into the bay of Mont- 
serado,) interchange with the most friendly disposi- 
tions towards the colonists. 

" It gives me pleasure to state, that the colonists 
are turning their attention to the cultivation of cof- 
fee. That this article of produce is to prove a source 
of vast wealth to the colonists there can be no 
doubt; the labour and expense of its cultivation 
will be comparatively small; indeed, they have but 
to clear away the forest trees, and the plantations 
are ready to their hands. There are two descrip- 
tions of the plant indigenous — one, a shrub, evidently 
the same as the Mocha, hut yielding a berry of supe- 
rior favour ; the other a tree, frequently attaining 
the height of 40 feet : a specimen of ifie latter, I 
brought with me to Cuba, in the Java, and left with 
Mr. Shaler, our Consul, for the Botanic Garden of 
that ^-ity. 

" That there are many vast resources, yet unde- 
veloped m Liberia, no one can entertain a doubt ; 
that they will soon be brought forth, and made avail- 
able by the enterprise and intelligence of the colo- 
nists, is equally unquestionable. How earnestly 
then, should every philanthropist apply himself to 
aid and advance the operations of a society, the ob- 
ject of which is, not only to elevate so large a por- 
tion of our fellow beings from the degrading rela- 
tions in which they stand towards the rest of the 
human race, but to redeem from the thraldom of 
ignorance, superstition and vice, a whole continent! 
That these gre.at results are, under Providence, to 
be accomplished, is a conviction to which 1 have 
been brought by actual experience and scrutinizhig 
observation. EDWARD P. KENNEDY." 

" P. S. It would be well, perhaps, to state, that, in 
a conversation with one of ihe Kroos, or Kroomen, 
I was informed by him, that he came with his wife 
from Timlnictoo by water, with the exception of 
twenty-five miles, the distance that cit)' stands from 
the Niger; he came down the St. Paul's to Mont- 
serado." 

Extract af a letter from Captain Weaver, who visited 
/he Colony in 1831. 

" Wa.shi.vgton, Jan. 1, 18.32. 
"The charge of unhealthiness against Liberia, for 
the coloured races, cannot be supported. It is the 
birthplace of the black man, to which his constitn- 
tion is peculiarly adapted ; and though estranged 
for a time from his native <-lime. nature will un- 
doubtedly triumphantly resume her sway, whene- 
ver he returns to the land of his fathers. ' Africa is 
the black man's home, physically- Morally, he 
should aspii-e for a residence within her bounda- 
ries. He is there, the lord of the soil — all mankind 
are there his equals — the distinction of colour is there 
against the white man ; for in Africa, he is a .sort of 
" lusus nature," an object to be pointed at by the 
finger of curiosity, an object of dread for his p<)vver, 
and of hatred for his avarice. Sir, I have faith in 
the success of the colony of Liberia — you "have 
many difficulties to encounter ; but they are not in- 
surmountable. If our government will deign to 
foster that colony, a very short time will suffice to 
render it of great importance, in a commercial point 
of view, independent of home considerations. In 
the tobacco trade, we can have no rivals. Tlie 
north and the south are decplv interested in the 
prosperity of our suble colony. The north will find 
a vent for her surplus manufactures, and the south 
a home and a refuge for a portion of its population, 
which even,^ good citizen must wish to sec speedily 
transferred thither — I mean tlie free colouruil popu- 



24 

lation of the United States. The coFt of transporta- 
tion is, by many persons of intelligence, deemed an 
insurmountable barrier. Avarice brought them 
here! Shall we make the painful adniLssion, that 
that vice so far exceeds the combuied vixtue.s ol a 
christian community, as to render its deeds irrevo- 
cable ? No, Sir; it is in the power ol the American 
people, with a due iindei-siauding of the ca.se, and 
of the magnitude of the object, to etfecl much by a 
simultaneous movement." 



LETTERS ON THE 



LetlerfTom Ca/,lam AheJs, of the ^^rhmver J^!ar^a- 
ret Mercer, dated Was/nmrfnn Feb. 10, l»M. 
■" Having just arrived in the United Sintes, from 
the colonv of Liberia, to which place I went as mas- 
ter of the schooner Margaret Mercer, and where 1 
remained thirteen days, during which time 1 was 
daily on shore, and carefully observed the slate ot 
affairs, and inquired into the condition of the peo- 
ple 1 venture to state some facts m regard to the 
circumstances and prospects of the colony. On the 
I4th of December I arrived, and on the lotn v.ent 
on shore, and was received in the most polite and 
friendly maimer by the governor, Dr. Mechlin, who 
introduced me to the ministci-s and principal inha- 
bitants. All the colonists appeared to be in good 
health. All iny er/iriialwus in regard to the atipecl 
of things, the health, harmony, order, contentment, in- 
dustry, and general prosperiti/ of the settlers, were 
more than realized. There are about two hundred 
buildings in the town of Monrovia, extending along 
the Cape Montserado, not for from a mile and a 
quarter.* Most of these are good substantial houses 
and stores, (the first story of many of them being of 
stone,) and some of them handsome, spacious, paint- 
ed, and with Venilian blinds. Nothing struck me 
as more remarkalile, than the great superiority, in 
intelligence, manners, conversation, dress, and ge- 
neral appearance, in every respect, of the people 
over their coloured brethren in America. So much 
was I pleased with what I saw, that I observed to 
the people, should I make a true report, it would 
hardly be credited in the United Slates. Among 
all that I conversed wiih, T did vol find a disrvn- 
tented person, or hear one express a desire to Te'nrn 
to America. I saw no intemperance, nor did I hear 
a profane word utlered bv any one. Being a minis- 
ter of the gospel, on Christmas dav I preached both 
in the Methodist and Baptist church, to full and at- 
tentive congregations, of from three to four hun- 
dred persons in each. 1 know of no place where 
the Sabbath appears to be more respected than in 
Monrovia. I vas glad io see that the Colonial 
Agent, or Governor, is a constant attendant on Di- 
vine service, and appears desirous of promoting the 
moral and religious welfare of the people. Most of 
the settlers appear to be rapidly a'^qniring property, 
and I have no doubt thev are doMig better for ihein- 
Belvesand tlieir children in I.ihoria. than iIk-v could 
do in any other i>art of the world. Could the free 
people of colour in this country, but see the real con- 
dition of their breihren who have settled in Africa. 
I am persuaded they would require no other motive 
to induce tlunn to emigrate. This is my decided and 
deliberate judgment." 

Extract of a letter from Mr. Mechlin, Colon !/ Aaenl. 
" As tit the morals of the colonists. I c(msider Ihein 
much belter than those of the people of the U S. ; 
that is, ifoii mail take an eimal n^imh-r of the inhalnt- 
ants from am} section of the Union, and you will 
find more drunkards, more profane swarers and 
'Sabliath-fneakers, ^c, than in Ldieria. Indeed, I 
know of no country where things are conducted 
more quietly and orderly than w this colony. You 

• TliiH Is a (.Tont incp-nnc siiico tho visit of Captaiu 
Sltermaii, two yuars belbro. 



rarely hear an oaili, and as to riots and breaches oi 
the peace, I recollect of h>it one instance, and that 
of a trilling nature, liiat has come under my luiiice 
since I a.ssunied the government ol the lolony. The 
SabbatJi u more strictly observed, iliaii I ever saw 
it in the Cnia'd States. Our Sunday schools arc 
well attended, not only by the children ol the colo- 
nists, but also by the native children who reside 
amongst us. The natives themselves are so weli 
acquainted with our strict observance of this day, 
that you never lind them oflering any thing tor sale, 
nor can you hire them to work for voii ; I mean 
those who have been amongst us, and at all ac- 
quainted with our customs." 



Extract from an Essai/ on the A/near, Slave Trade, 
said to he written bi'i a distinguished Br'tish naval 
ojJicer,who passed three years on the African cimst 
Frovi the Amulet, a Londim annual for 1832. 
"On the subject of Sierra Leone, and the causes 
of its failure, so much has been said, thai it would 
be superfluous to repeat it here. Public expectation 
has not, certainly, been answered ; but that these 
experiments are not of a fanciful or impracticable 
nature, is completely proved by the success which 
has attended the colonv which came next in succes- 
sion on this coast. This is a bold promoiHor\-, called 
originally Monte Serrado, but coriupted, as all 
names are, by negro pronunciation, into Mcsurado. 
The \merican Colonization Society located here a 
number of free people of colour, the offspring oi 
African slaves, born in America and liberated. 

"The settlement consists of two establishments 
The lli-^t is AJonrovia, on Cai:e Montserado, and the 
other Caldwell, .seven miles up the river St. Paul. 
The whole population amounts to about three hun- 
dred families, comprising more than 15(i0 persons, 
(2.500 at present) who have each farms allotted to 
them, some in the lower and some in the upper set- 
tlement. A regular and most improved system of 
husbandry is insisted cm. 

" Nothing has tended more to suppress the slave 
trade in this quarter than the constant intercourse and 
communication of the natives with these ludiistrioiis 
cvlonis's. The .\merican agent, Mr. Ashmun. took 
every opportunit\' and means in his power to extin- 
£ruish a traffic so'injurious in every way to the fair 
trader ; and at Cape Montserado, good and correct 
information was always to be obtained of any slave 
vessel on the coast, within the communication or 
influence of the colony. This active, respectable, 
and in'elligeiit man is since dead; but his spirit 
still actuates all his people. . 

" The character (f these indicstriiius colonists is 
exceed inglii correct and moral : their minds strongly 
imnressed'vith religious feelings; their manners se- 
rious and decorous ; and their domestic habits re- 
marknhh/nea' and comfortiible. Those who have 
visited them, speak highly of their appeanmcp and 
mode of livins. They area comely and well-formed 
race of negroes— neat and clean in their persons- 
modest and civd in their manners— and regular and 
comforirtble in iheir dwellings. Their bouses are 
well built, ornamented with enrdens and other 
pleasine decorations, and on the inside are remarka- 
bly clean— the walls well white- washed, and tlio 
rooms neatly furnished. 

" The complete success of lias colony, J.« a proof 
that ii'ixrocs are. by projier care and atlcntior., as sus- 
replilflr of the hahils of industry, and the improve- 
ments of ' social life, as am/ other race of human he- 
in-'s ; and thai the melioration of the condition of the 
black peoiile on the cfxist of Africa, by means of 
such colonies, is not chimerical. \Vhereirr the influ- 
ence of this colony crtends, ynr. SI,.\yK-TH.\ni-; HAR 
ISKKMAHAMIONED BV THE NATIVKS. AND TUF; FKACE- 
FIM. I'lJRSI'lT.S OF LKfiiriMATE COMMERCE ESTA- 
BLISHED IN ITS PLACE." 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



2.1 



LETTER XL 

'Subjects continued-Examination ofMr.Dc- 
vany, Hi'sh Sheriff of the Colony of Libe- 
ria, he/ore a Committee of Congress, on 
the 26th and '21th of May, 1830. 

" This Committee consisted of the Hon. 
C. F. Mercer, Mr. Everett of JMass. Mr. 
Rose, Mr. Williams, Mr. V;ince, Mr. Denny 
and Mr. Kiircaid. Just before the adjourn- 
ment of Congress, Mr. Francis Devany, one 
of the earliest, most intelligent and respect- 
able settlers in Liberia, who had, for some 
time, held the office of Hi^h Sheriff" in the 
Colony, arrived in Wasliinoton, and, as iie 
had resided in Africa for more than seven 
years, had discharg-ed faithfiUy and usefully, 
the duties of several responsible offices, and 
had been and continued to be engaged in 
extensive trade, it was deemed important, 
by Mr. Mercer, Chairman of the Committee 
just mentioned, to receive his testimony, 
respecting the geography, climate, soil, na- 
tural and civil History, municipal Govern- 
ment, manners, productions, commerce, nav- 
igation, arts and improvements of the Colony 
of Liberia. 

"Mr. Devany stated, in reply to queries put to 
him b)' the Hon. Mr. Mercer, Judge Spencer, and 
others, t!iat the Colonists labour under ver\'- serious 
inconvenience, for want of a National Flag, un- 
der which to sail. A number of vessels are owned 
by them, wliich might, and would be engaged in 
commerce to tiiis country, but which ore laid up at 
present for want of a flag. Mr. Devany himself 
owns one, which cost lum a thousand dollars. 
Another Colonist owns a vessel that cost §6,000. 
Both these valuable vessels are now laid up, and 
going 10 decay, as the owners do not consider it safe 
10 venture them at sea, tnider existing circumstan- 
ces. Besides these, there ait; five or six others 
owned in the Colonv, of smaller value. These are 
engaged hi a coasting trade of very confined ex- 
tent; iiie greatest distance to whicli they venture to 
go, is as far as Sierra Leone. The olsjeet of their 
apprehension is mt the hostility of the Europ-^an 
povvers, but the pirates who infest those seas. The 
British and French have hoih behaved in the most 
friendly manner towards the Colonists. 

" The prevailing morals of the Colonists pre good. 
Mr. Devrjuy had wi'iifsacd hiil orirjiishl amoris them 
durins his reniiifjice UiPre. and that was occasioned 
by a sort of political quarrel with a coloured man 
from Sierra Leone, wiio, partaldng of the jealous 
spirit which prevails among some persons dicre, had 
sjxsken in an abusive manner of the American Col- 
ony and its Government. Larcenies, imder the 
value of five shillings, are punished by fine. Those 
above that sum, bv imprisonment and whipping. Ao 
instance, of capital crime had i/el occurred. — Where 
the laws of the Colony are silent, resort is had to 
the laws of the Uuiicd Siates, so that no crime can, 
through any delcioncy of that kind, be committed 
with impunitv. Tlie courts, when sitting, are well 
attended. Witnesses are brought up by a proc.3Ss 
of subpcpna, as in the United States. Some instan- 
ces of intemperance have occurred, l;nt the habit 
IS confined to two persons only, and does not go to 
such an extent, as to be of serious iiijiiry to the fami- 
lies of the individuals, who are blacksmiths. Thrj/ 
have three churches, frame huildinsrs, one of Ihem 
with a Riecple. One belongs to the Bavtisis, another 
to the Methodists, and one, not yet finished, to the 



Fresbijterians. Divine service is attended diree 
limes on Sunday, and also on Tuesday and Thurs- 
day evenings. The Simday Schools are attended 
by many ot the native children. All who can be 
decently clad, are in the habitoi a:tending.-Bui such 
as are not cloihtd, will not come. The iiadves in 
tlie neighbourhood of the Colony are adopting cur 
mode of dress ; the men wearing pantaloons, and 
the women a cloth garment, covering nearly then 
whole person. They were Ibrmerly but very 
slightly covered ; but now females m that situation 
will not pass through tlie town, but take a circuit- 
oi;s route to avoid observation. No dancing is prac- 
tised ; the religious part of the C(mimunity having 
prevailed in discouraging it. Several ol the neigh- 
bouring tribes have voiuniarilv put themselves un- 
der .'iie laws of the Colony, and .so;.ght its protec- 
tion. On the death o; old King Peter, a celebrated 
chief ill the neighLoi;rhocd, h s head man, called 
Long Peter, made an eliort to usurp the Govern- 
ment of the tribe. But ihey fled lo the Colony for 
protection ; in consequence of which delegates were 
sent among them, and the maltor was comi;romised, 
by aiipqiiitmg Long Peier as bead man, but not a.s 
King. The chief acquiesced hi this ari-angement, 
and the people were satisfied and returned to their 
enifiloyment. The natives of this tribe have adopt- 
ed our dress, and many oi tlie children attend tlie 
schools in the Colony. 

" A very active trade is carried on at Monrovia. 
A Colonis't, by the name of Waring, will have sold 
goods this year [1S30] to the amount of .$70,000. 
Mr. Devany's own sales amount to betv\eeii24 and 
825,000. Being asked how much he considered 
himself as worth, he replied that he computed his 
projierty at 820,000, and would not be willing lo 
take that sum for it. lie has been in the Colony 
seven years, and had but litde property when he 
went there. Coffee is very abimdaid in the higher 
and more rociy gro'tnds ,• on sandy soil it is not so 
plenU'. — The produce of the plants is very various; 
from some trees enough may be gathered to fill a 
pocket handkerchief of the In rgesi size, while oth- 
ers will not yield more than half a pound. It re- 
sembles tlie toffee of Java, heuic white and of 'arge 
grain. There is another kind, ot' smaller grain, but 
this is but little used. The Colony as yet has not 
made coffee an article of export, ihe Colonists not 
having had time to engage in the regular cultiva- 
tion of the plant. They gather, however, eiwugh 
for their owti consumption. They export dye.; 
Avoods, of different kinds, hides, ivory, palm oil, and 
rice. The French, in particular, are desirous of 
trading in the last article. Pi-ovisions are plent\', 
and in order to keep up the native trade, they are 
sometimes taken in greater quantities than can be 
consumed. The traders refuse none that is brought 
in. The Colonists in general are well satisfied with 
their situation. The exceptions are veni' few, and 
consist of some old v\omen and persons of very 
weak capacity, such as the Colonists would be glad 
to get rid of On the tables in Monroiia ma y he 
found beef, mutton, fish, foids, d'icJiS, and onnsion- 
alltf a turliey or a roost pig. together with the fruits of 
Ihe country, vhirh are very various. Cotlee and tea 
are used for breakfast. 

" T/te heallh of Ihe CrJony is in general good. 
From ten da^-s to s:\ weeks after their lirsl arrival, 
strangers are liable to attacks of ague aiMl fever; 
but after that time they are usually healthy. Mr 
Devany had travelled lip the St. Paul's river till he 
came to a series of falls extending in all about 10 or 
12 mdes, in which space the water often falls per- 
jiendicularly 20, 30, and 50 feet. 

" They gave the master of one of their schools a 
salary of 84.50. This he did not consider sufficient, 
and engaged in business a.s public surveyor ; incon- 
sequence of which the school had somewhat de- 
clined, but tliey had the prospect of geltuig another 



LETTERS ON THE 



2G 

teacher. Tliey are desirous of having white men * 
competently educated, to teach their scliools ; in 
which capacity only, and in that of cleraymen, 
white pei-soiis are allowed to reside in the Colonv. 
A newsi.aper is published in JNioiirovia, by Mr. 
Russwunn, u coloured UKia, and a graduate of a col- 
lege ni Maine. He pub! .shed a puper some Inne 
since in iNew V^ork. He has now upon Jiis list be- 
tween 2 and 300 subscribers. 

" Being asked how the Agents of Government 
tieaied the Liberian Colonists, Mr. Devauy replied, 
'perfectly well, entirely to their salislaction.' They 
placed thcni on a footing of perfect equality, as 
much as if no distinction of colour existed. The 
people had great respect for the agents, but still felt 
themselves at the head of their own society. Much 
activity and emulation prevail; each settler endea- 
vouring to push his own ilirtune by all proper and 
honourable means. If one builds liimself a com- 
fortable house this season, his neighbour will endea- 
vour to have as good u one the next. But this com- 
petition is attended with no ill will. A plat oi the 
town is drawn and laid olf in lots, and when new 
settlers arrive, they employ a lottery to fix their se- 
veral situations ; each being allowed in the town a 
quarter of an acre, and 15 acres in ils neighbourhood, 
which he is at lilierty to cultivate for himself. Some 
who wish to become fiirmers, and sotile at a dis- 
tance, are allowed small fiirms of 50 ac'^?s. The 
soil is cultivated with ease. Ploughs are not yet in- 
troduced. They have some mules which they 
brought from the Cape De Verds. There are also 
a few oxen; but these, not having been early i)ro- 
ken, do not work to advantage. The late lamented 
Mr Cary, however, had a yoke which he broke 
himself and which worked ver>- well. They had 
had some horses, but these not being well mana- 
ged had died. Others, however, could readily be 
procured at the Rio Pongas. The climate is inild 
and uniform; the thernionietcr never being lower 
than 68^, nor higher than 88^, save perhaps one 
day in a season, when it has been known to rise to 
91 degrees. There is a constant sea-breeze, and 
Mr. Devany had seen the weather quite cool ; not 
cold enough however to produce frost. The hou- 
ses have no chimneys except to the kitchens; but it 
is customary, in the cooler weather, to use smal. fur- 
naces with charcoal Many of the houses are built 
of stone, others of logs, weather-boarded. Some of 
these are painted while, with green Venitian l)linds. 
They have gardens abounding with vegetables, 
and various native fruits. There is a species of 
sour orange, that seems indigenous to the soil, be- 
ing found in abundance. The seed of the sweet 
orange has also been brought from Sierra Leone, 
and succeeds well. The Tamarind is also plentiful, 
and the Colonists have now received seeds from 
America, and are endeavouring to raise various 
West India fruit.s. The pine-apple is common, and 
they have a species of cherry growing in large clus- 
ters like grapes. The palm-lree abounds, and is of 
great value ; palm-oil is worih from five to six cents 
a pound. They take it in Irade from the country 
people at from eight to ten cents a gallon, and ihe 
gallon contains from seven to eight ixjunds." 

♦Whitp men are expnseil to great daiificr from the 
climate; it is much better toediiiale coloured people in 
thi'< country, niidsoiid ihem to the Colony. 

PInladeiphia, April 20th, 18:i2. 



LETTER Xir. 
Dlsathontasrffi to the whitr ■jwnuhituni ari- 
sinf( ffoin slavery. — Hardslilps of thf> co- 
lorire'dpnpiilationinthr sitivc sliilcs.— Con- 
trust of the situation of the Colonists at 
Liberia. 
In stating the distidvantagcs to the white 



population arising from slavery, I shall confine 
myself to the declarations of slave-holders 
themselves, whose practical experience ena- 
bles them to decide ; and to whose testimony, 
therefore, there can be none of those excep- 
tions taken, to which theoretical views w ould 
be justly liable. 

•' To proviiie for fne free negro a country, is alike 
the dictate of humanity towards liim, and of pohcy 
towards ourselves. While he remains here, no 
white labourer will seek employment near him. 
Hence it is, that in some of the richest counties east 
of the Blue Ridge, tlie wliite population is station- 
ary, and in many others it is retrograde. yir»nna, 
mice the first stale in jiiimhers, as she is still in terri 
tory, has become the third, and will soon hove to de- 
scend to the fourth rank. The valuation of the lands 
of New York, exceeds the estimate of all the lands and 
slaves in Virginia." — Richmond and Manchester Co- 
lonization Society. 

" Experience has taught us, that slaves add no- 
thing to our wealth. Where they exist, labour is 
not only high, but badly perfonned ; and the com- 
munities growing up around us, which are clear of 
this evil, flourish over us, and by their cheapness 
of labour, nicer mechanism, and more abundant in 
dusn^-, are makinsr us tributary. The progress of 
lightl-ihe conduct of other nations— and particu- 
larly that of our South American neighbours, in li- 
berating their slaves— the growing belief of the 
disadvantages of slavery, with other causes, contri- 
bute to increase tlie conviction that shivery is an 
evil, and that its consequences may, one day or other, 
become terrible." — Kentucky Colonization Society. 

"Slavery is ruinous to the whites — retards im- 
provement — roots out an uidustrious yjopulation, 
banishes the yeomanry of the coimtr\'— deprives 
the spinner, the weaver, the smith, the shoemaker, 
ihe carpenter, of employment and support. This 
evil admits of no remedy— it is increasing, and will 
continue to increase, until the whole country will 
be inundated with one black wave covering its 
whole extent, with a few white faces here and 
there, floating on the surface. The master has no 
capital but what is vested in human flesh— the fa- 
ther, instead of being riciier for his sons, is at a loss 
to provide for tiiem— there is no diversity of occu- 
pations, no iiK-entive to enterprise. Labour (f every 
species is disreputable, 7>ecause perfonned mostly by 
slaves. Our loums are stationary, our villases almost 
every luhere declinine — and the general aspect of the 
country marks the cinse of a wasteful, idle, reckless 
ponuldlion, who have no interest in the soil, and care 
not how much it is impoverished. Public imi)rove- 
ments are neglected, and ihe entire continent does 
not present a reei'on for which nature has done so 
much, and art so little. If cultivated by free labour, 
Ihe soil of Virginia is capable of sustaining a dense 
population, among whom labour would be honoura- 
ble and where ' the busy hum of men' would tell 
that all were happy, and that all were free."- 
Speech of T. .Marshall, of Fampner Co. tn the legis- 
lature of Virginia. 

" The effect of slavery' on our national prosperity-, 
is well worth consideration. Our political power 
is fast passing away ; our relative influence in this 
union rapidly decreasing ; and should it be dissolv- 
ed (whi< h God avert !) with such a canker preying 
on our vitals, who can fi)resee the iioinl of polituat 
imbecility to which we may ultimately arrive ! But 
no more of this— my national love recoils at Ihe 

view. ' , . . 1 . , 

"Whilst onehidfof our population are taught lo 
look on lal.Miur as degrading, or are unable to pro 
cure employment, should their |)ressing wants over- 
come this feeling; the whole class of labourers have 
a direct interest in doing and saving as hitle as iws- 
*ible, so that tliey barely screen themselves from 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, 



27 



punishment I do not say tliis is always the case ; 
but such IS unquestionably the effect: and if we 
compare it witli a system in which each one has a 
direct uiteresl in produr:ing and saving as much as 
possible, the difference in the result throughout a 
whole community, would be astounding. Let us 
trace the effects of the two systems a little further, 
in a picture, one part of which will be familiar to 
many. Take the case of a man in Virginia, havino- 
a capital of $10,000 vested inlands and negroes, 
with a family often children. It is sutiicient while 
together, lor their comfortable support. As the 
children grow up there is no want of steady labour, 
on the farm, even if they have b"en so fortunate as 
to escape the idea that it would be degrading. The 
surplus of the estate aflbrds not the means of'ednca- 
tion beyond the ordinarj' instruction of a country 
school. As they grow up. they must imitate their 
neighbours m dress and habits. The girls find am- 
ple employment in making up their own dresses, or 
little ornaments for their own persons , the voimo- 
men must have horses, and perhaps a slave' occa^ 
sionaliy to feed and clean them.— With neither em- 
plovment nor intellectual amusements to keep them 
at home, they seek company at the public places in 
their neighbourhood. Money must be had ; and the 
resources of the form, drained to the utmost, leave 
no capital for ivninovement, even should the father 
escape inextricable embarrassment. Finnllv, the 
old people die, and leave a family of sons, unaccus- 
tomed to labour, unfit for professions, helplf>ss, and 
too probably vicious from indolence. The property 
IS divided; and each share, too small to sujiport 
them in their accustomed courses, even until they 
determine on what is to be done, is most commonly 
wasted in vice and sensuality. 

'• View, on the contrary, a family of equal num- 
bers and capital, vested in land and stock, in a non- 
slave holding community. The daughters are com- 
pedled to assist their mother in all the domestic 
labour. If there be a son of sjirightly and promising 
talents, he is educated for a profession, and thus 
provided for. The wants of the farm demand the 
services of tlie othei-s in summer, and in winter 
^fi'^y receive the rudiments of a plain education un- 
til the time at which they may be put to trades or 
Dusiiiess, As they arrive at age respectively, the 
small earnings of industry the parents may have 
saved, are applied in establishing them in the pur- 
suit of their choice. Finally, the person dies, and 
leaves the real estate (burthened, perhaps, with 
legacies) to the .sons, thus compelled to industry, un- 
til they have families of their own. when the same 
process is renewed. In this way, is the community 
continually supplied with an industrious class of 
labourers. No capital is dissipated by the system, 
biit a continual accumulation; which extending 
through a whole community for a series of years', 
will sufficiently account for the difference in pros- 
penty between the slave and non-slave holdin<- 
States, without resorting to the Tarifi; or the oppres- 
sion of the Federal Government. 

" These and other causes, wliich, in the limits of a 
; few newspaper essays, it would be impossible to 
enumerate, must continually cause our white popu- 
I lation to diminish as the black increases." 

Rickmond Enquirer. 
It was stated by Col. Mercer, it: the late 
yir^inia Convention, that in 1317, the lands 
in that state were valued at ,$206,000,000 
In 1829, at 96,000,000 

I hat at the former period, the 
slaves averaged .$300 

In 1829, ■ 150 

In an address delivered by Mr. Key, be- 
fore the Colonization Society, some time 
eince, he asserted that in one county in Ma- 



ryland having but few slaves, the increase 
ot population between 1810 and 1850, 
amounted to many tiiousands; while in an- 
other, having an equal number of slaves and 
whites, there was a decrease of almost a fifth 
of Its entire population. " Lands of similar 
quality," he added, "bear very different prices 
in the two districts; for farmers will not 
migrate to a slave country— and there is the 
same difference in many "other particulars." 
It is difficult to account satisfactorily, for 
the hostility displayed towards the Coloniza- 
tion Society, by so many of the coloured peo- 
ple, and by some of their influential friends 
among the whites. That the situation of the 
colonists in Liberia, is at least equal to that 
of the most fortunate and favoured of their 
class m this country, will not admit of a 
doubt, from the unimpeachable testimony ad- 
duced in Letter IX— and that it is incom- 
parably superior to that of the great mass of 
them in our towns and cities, is equally indis- 
putable. I'ew of these are engage* in trade 
or commerce, or have any hopes of elevating 
themselves to that situation. Nine-tenths of 
them are in subordinate and menial situations, 
and likely thus to remain, at low wages. 
That they labour under the most oppressive 
disadvantages, which their freedom can by no 
means counterbalance, is too obvious to admit 
of doubt. I waive all inquiry whetlier this 
be right or wrong. I speak of things as they 
are — not as they might or ought to be. They 
are cut off from the most remote chance of 
amalgamation with the white population, by 
feelings or prejudices, call them what you 
Will, that are ineradicable. Tiie situation of 
the majority of them, is more unfavourable 
than that of many of the slaves. "With all 
the burdens, cares, and responsibilities of free- 
dom, they have few or none of its substantial 
benefits. Their associations are, and must 
be, chiefly with slaves. Their right of suf- 
frage gives them little, if any, political influ- 
ence, and they are practically, if not theoreti- 
cally,excluded from representation and weight 
in our public councils." No merit, no services, 
no talents, can ever elevate the great mass of 
them to a level with the whites. Occasion- 
ally an exception may arise. A coloured in- 
dividual, of great talents, merits, and wealth, 
may emerge from the crowd. Cases of tiiis 
kind, are to the last degree, rare. The co- 
loured people are subject to legal disabilities, 
more or less galling and severe, in almost 
eve'-y state in the Union. Severe regula- 
tions have been recently passed in Louisiana, 
to prevent the introduction of free iieople of 
colour. Whenever they appear, tiicy are to 
be banished in sixty days. The strong oppo- 
sition to the establishment of a negro college 
in New-Haven, speaks in a language not to 
be mistaken, the jealousy with which they are 
regarded. And there is no reason to expect, 
that the lapse of centuries will make any 



28 



LETTERS ON THE 



chano-e in this respect. They will always, 
unhappily, be regarded as an nik'rior race. 

Thpy are, >noreover, cliased trom folate to 
state The colony that was lately expelled 
from Ohio, was originally obliged to leave 
Viro-inia, bv the riijour of its laws, on the suo- 
iecfof free coloured people. They were but 
a few years in Ohio, when a law ot that sti^te, 
oblio-in"- thern, under a penalty, to give Sol^ 
security tor their good behaviour, and that 
they shall not become chargeable, was ordered 
to be put in force against them. W ith the 
provisions of this law, they could not or would 
not comply. They accordingly removed to 
Canada, where, to judge from some ot the 
papers of the province, they appear to be re- 
2urded with jealousy. 

A corps of Philadelphia volunteers quite re- 
cently passed through Providence, on its way 
to Boston. It was accompanied by Johnson s 
coloured band, whose fkill and talents are 
celebrated wiierever they are Imown. But 
such was the jsalousy of their colour, that 
they were not allowed to play m the city. 
This is a small affair, but it shows the strength ; 
of feeling on the sul^joct.^^ "Straws snow 
which way the wind blows." tu *t. 

A case has recently occurred m JNorth 
Carolina, which speaks volumes on this sub- ] 
iect. There is, it appears, a law in tliat 
state, which subjects any free coloured per- 
son who enters it, to a tine ot -$500, and, in 
the event of non-payment, to be sold as a 
slave A person ot" this description lately en- 
tered the state— was prosecuted under the 
taw— and, not being able to pay the fine, was 
actuallv sold. 

Of the cruelty and haruship ot those pro- 
ceedinr>-s, no disinterested person can doubt. 
They are intended as security trom fknger. 
How tar they are called for. or justihed by 
that motive, or whether they do not increase, 
if not create the danger sought to be avoided, 
is not the present purpose to inquire. Uur 
object is, to show by contrast, the strong in- 
ducements tb.c free coloured people have, to 
emio-rate. Under the excitement produce, 
byttie Southampton massacre, a police act 
of extr^>iae rigour was ]xassed by the legisla- 
ture of Vi V ri ni'a, at its last session :— 

.. TKi. a.'.tl>rohibi.. ti.. .lavos free negroes, am 
n.u'.v .0 pro-, .:he.-*. wl.eiUer ordu.ncd or hceuHed 

or oiher m.rmM>s, either by day or ii.ght,to be p.i" 
hh-d wi h stripes, not exceedir.g th.rty-mne la. he. 
forcv.MUfrenee; any I"--''"" ''^^^f^ auihonzed to 
fTnorlu-nd the offender wi.houl a warrnut p.cn - 
S obtained; it also probib.ts M negrocN ^ ■ 
,Vo„f unending any such l"-=''-''»"g «'• 'f ^;'"^; •; 
.lucKvl bv n'-^ro preaehers, or c\eii by vvliiu 
Z^^.L^n the nigb. time, without a wrUlon p^r- 
I from their owuers. master, or then- agents, to 
"V""^be,i fbr every oili-rK^ in l.k.mam^rauj^ 
p,Jon,howc-vcr. is pernnUed !o laUe bis >^ a ; ^v h 
Lim to hear n ligi-us inslnictinii, con.lucte.I In 
I; white mi-MsUr in .ho night; slaves ol any ono 



owner not prevented from assemblmg at any time, 
for religious devotion ; no free negro to be suttered 
to keep or carry any gun or militar)- weapon, the 
arms and ammuniiion to be Ibrleiled to the m- 
fi.rmer, and die oficnder to be punished wUh stripes 
as aforesaid ; and it takes away from the county 
courts the power to grant permission to keep or 
carry such ^^•eapons, as heretofore ; it declares it 
felony, punishable with death, for any slave, free 
re-ro;&c.to a.-s«ult and brat, wilfully and mal. 
cio'islv, any while person, wid. iulent to kill ; piin- 
ishes with sn-ipes lor the iirst oHence, and with 
death the second, any slave, free negro <^^; ^yho 
shall hereafter write, print, or cause to be written 
or printed, anv book, pamphlet, or other wnting 
(or knowingly circ. late the same,) advismg persona 
of colour in this state lo make insurrection, or to re- 
l)el • and if the ofli'uder be a white jierson, imposes h 
fine of not less than one hundred, nor more than 
one thousand dollars; pmiishes «nth ^tnpes Ireene 
groes, &c. gudtv of riots, routs, unlawiulassembheb, 
trespasses and seditious speeches. 

"The act to be given in charge to the grand ju- 
ries ; and the atiornies for the ^ o™™"^^ f /^V^; 
nuircd to lodge an infomiatum of any violation o 
ds provisions in tlieir knowledge, ^ol which they 
have cause to suspect any person, before the pro- 
per court or jury. To take eflect on the first of July 

'""l^'law lately passed in Georgia, subjects to a 
quarantine of torlv davs. all vessels having free co- 
Cred persons on' board. This 'aw prohibits ad m- 
™.L with such vessels, by free coloured per- 
sonfor slaves, atid directs that the captains wno 
brhg them shah, under penalt:,Make them back. 
It K^iders a capital otifcnce, the circulation of pan^- 
ph ets of evd tendency among the slaves or domes^ 
tics o( the state. It imposes a penalty for teachmg 
free persons of colour to read or wnte. 

A aw lately ))assed in Maryland, directs the re- 
movalfrU the kte. of all slaves manunutted alter 

"^•S^e the black man is degraded. You may 
ciH him free. You may protect his rights by legis- 
ati'on y'u may invok^ '^e spirit ohumatntv and 
of (^hristian beiievo ence to bless him ; but still, ne 
h degS. A thousand tiialignant mnuence. 
around him, are conspiring to wither all Uiat u 
ninidy and noble in his nature. ., c 

Such being the situation of the free co- 
loured people in this country, with scarcely 
a hope if a speedy change, surely they ough 
to long as eagerly for a settlement n. the laaid 
of theTr ance^stors, as the captive t"besot Is- 
rael hungered for a return to the land of Ca- 



What a contrast to their situation in Libe- 
ria • There they will be lords ot tlie soil, and 
have every inducement and every oi.portu- 
nity to cultivttte their minds. They wnl ..ot 
be bor.ie diwn by that sen.e ot inferiority, 
from whose loadings they ctuinot escape 
\Z, nnd which is enough to depress mnids 
the most highly gifted. A^^^^^'"^;" •'^'j': 
respective merits they may aspire to any ol 
he'^^.fficesof honour, and proi^t and influence, 
in the colony. The bar, and the bench and 
the medicalprofession, will be open to them 
initn which ihey arc debarred liere by an mi- 
p,nssable burrit^. 
1 Mayl, 18:W. 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



29 



LETTER Xin. 
Effects of the Colony of lAberia in restrain- 
ing the slave trade. — Utter inadequacy of 
the efforts of the British and other cruisers. 
— Slight sketch of the horrors of that ne- 
farious traffic. 

Allusion was made, in the preface, to 
three of the leading results of the Coloniza- 
tion Society, any one of which, ought to in- 
sure it universal patronage. One only, its 
eft'ects to annihilate the slave trade in tlie 
neighbourhood of the colony, shall be touched 
on here. Such has been the consequence, 
also, of the colony at Sierra Leone. The ex- 
periment of years has proved, that the only 
effective mode of extirpating the slave trade, 
is by the establishment of colonies along the 
coast. 

The efforts of the national vessels stationed 
there, liave proved wholly unavailing. The 
total number of slaves captured by Britisli 
vessels, and emancipated, in nine years, from 
1819 to 1828, was, according to Walsh, 
" only 13,281, averagmg about 1400 per an- 
num," although, "during that period, it is 
supposed there were annually transported as 
slaves, from different parts of the coast, 
100,000 human beings."* 

To prove the immense importance of sup- 
pressing this traffic, which, except in one 
place, is annihilated for nearly two hundred 
miles, partly north of Sierra Leone, and partly 
south of Liberia, it may not be improper to 
give a sketch of it, in the words of an eye 
witness to some of its horrors ; for althougli 
this nefarious traffic has been long consigned 
to the general execration of mankind, yet not 
one person in iive hundred, is probably aware 
of the hideous barbarity of the demons incar- 
nate by whom it is carried on, or of the in- 
tensity of the sufferings and agonies of the 
ill-flited victims. 

Mr. Walsh v;as on board the North Star^ 
Capt. Arabin, a British vessel of war, sta- 
tioned on the coast of Africa, to capture 
slavers, which, after a chase of 300 miles, cap- 
tured a Brazilian vassal, of which he gives 
the following account. 

"When we mounted her decks, we found her 
full of slaves. She was commanded by Capt. Jose 
Barbosa, bound to Bahia. She was a very broad 
decked ship, with a mainmast, schooner rig!,'ed, and 
behind her foremast was a large formidable gun, 
which turned on a broad circle of iron on deck, and 
which enabled her to act as a pirate, if Iier having 
speculation had failed. She hud taken in on tlie 
coast of Ati-ica, 33(5 males, and -220 feinulen, mahinfs 
in all 502, aiid had been out 17 days, during uiliirh 
she. had thrown overboard 5.5! The slaves were all 
enclosed under grated hatchways, between decks. 
The space was so low that they sat between each 
other's legs, and stowed so close together, that there 
was no possibility of their lying down, or at all 
changing their position night or day. As they were 
fchipped oa account of different individuals, they 

* Notes of Brazil, Vol. n. p. 268. 

E 



I were all branded like sheep, with the owners marks 
' of different forms. ^Jj 



/^0^ 



"These were impressed under their breasts, ot 
on their arms, and. as the mate informed me, with 
perfect nidifference, " queiniadas peloferro quenlo — 
BURNT v> iTH THE RKD-HOT ironI'' Ovcr tlie hatch- 
Ways, stood a ferocious looking fellow, v\ilh a 
scourge of many twisted thongs in his hand, who 
was the slave-driver of the ship, and whenever he 
heard the slightest noise below, he shook it over 
them, and seemed eager to exercise it. 

" The circumstance which s;ruck us most forci- 
bly, was, Imw it was possible fur such a numher of 
human beings to exist, packed up and wedf^td together 
as tight as they could cram, in low cells, three feet 
high, the greater part of which, except that immedi- 
aitli/ under the grated hatchways, was shut oni from, 
light or air, and this, when the tkirmomtter, exposed 
to the open sky, was standing in the shade, on our 
deck at 89 deg. The space between decks, was di- 
vided into two compartments, 3 feet 3 inches high. 
The size of one was 16 feet by 18, and that oi the 
other 40 by 21 ; into the first were crammed the wo- 
men and girl'i ; into the second the men and boys : 
23() fellow crea'ures were thus thrust ir.to one space, 
288 feet square ; and 336 inro another space 800 feel, 
square, giving to the whole, an average ofl'i inches, 
and to each woman not more than 13 inches, though 
many (f them were pregnant. 

" The heat of these horrid jilaces was so great, and 
the odour so offensive, that it was quite impossible 
to enter them, even had there been room. 

" They were brought upon deck, and after en- 
joying for some time, the unusual luxury of air. 
some water was brought : it was then that the extent 
of their sufferings was exposed in a fearful manner. 
They all rushed like maniacs towards it. No en- 
treaties, or threats, or blows could restrain them: they 
shrieked, a.id struggled, and foua.ht with one anotlier, 
for a drop of this precious liquid, as if they u-cre ra- 
bid at the sight of it. There is nothing which slavea 
in a mid-passage suffer from so much as want of 
water. 

" It is sometimes usual to take out casljs filled 
with sea-water, as ballast, and when the slaves are 
received on board, to start the casks, and refill them 
with fiesh. On one occasion, a ship from Bahia ne- 
glected 10 change the contents of the casks, and 
on the mid passage found, to their horror, that thet/ 
were filled with nothing but salt water. Ai.L the 

SLAVES ON BOARD TERISHED !" pp. 262, 3, 4. 

To heighten the enormity of this "sin 
crying to heaven for vengeance," it is as- 
certained, that in cases of scarcity of provi- 
sion, the slaves are often remorselessly 
thrown overboard. On board a vessel some 
time since, thirty nine negroes became 
blind, and tv/elve had lost an eye. They 
were thrown into the fathomless ocean. A 
single vessel, the Protector, took on board 
at Mozambique 807 slaves, of .whom 339 
died on the voyage. 

Tlie Maria Primeira, a Portuguese ship, 
took on board upwards of 500 slaves. This 
number was reduced to 403 in consequence 
of extreme crowding, before slie was cap- 
tured, and brought into Sierra Leone. 
Nearly 100 more died soon afterwards, from 
diseases contracted on board. — (Transac 
tions of the London African Association.') 



30 



LETTERS ON THE 



The following heart-rending picture of 
the slave trade has been drawn by Sir 
George Collier, who was employed on the 
coast of Africa, to suppress it. 

" Such is the merciless treatment of tlie slaves, 
that no fancy can picture the horrors of the voyage. 
Crowded together so as not to have the power to 
move — linked one to the other by the leg — never 
unfettered while life remains, or till the iron shall 
have fretted the flesh almost to the bone — forced 
under a deck, as I have seen them, not thirty inches 
in hfighl — breathing an atmosphere the most putrid 
and pestilential possible — with little food and less 
water — subject to the most severe punishment, at 
the caprice or fiincy of the brute who may command 
the vessel — it is to me a matter of extreme wonder 
that any of these miserable wretches live the voy- 
age through. Many of them, indeed, perish on the 
passage, and those of them who remain to meet the 
shore, present a picture of wretchedness language 
cannot express." 

Whoever considers the preceding revolting 
facts, will acknowledge, that if the Coloniza- 
tion Society did no more than rescue one 
thousand human beings annually, from such 
a fate, (and the breaking up of the trade on 
the adjacent coast, must have rescued thou- 
sands,) since the regular organization of the 
colony in 1824, it would have repaid all its 
receipts ten fold. Put the whole of the re- 
ceipts into one scale, and the rescue in the 
other, and the former will kick the beam. 

Philadelphia, May 6, 1832. 



LETTER XIV. 

Of Africa before the irruption of the Barba- 
rians. 
Those who argue, from the present 
state of the coloured population of this 
country, against the prospect of a high de- 
gree of civilization in Africa, reason from 
very imperfect data. Here the coloured 
people have laboured, and still labour, un- 
der almost every possible disadvantage. In 
most of the soutliern states, slaves are de- 
barred from the attainment of the rudiments 
of knowledge. And even in states free 
from slavery, the coloured people have lit- 
tle opportunity of cultivation. Condemned 
by poverty, almost universally, to the low- 
est occupations, they have ncitlier time nor 
means to improve L'lemselves. But they 
will not suffer much, on a fair comparison 
with whites of the same grade. The best 
criterion, however, by which to judge, is 
the proLrress tiiey IiavB made in Liberia, 
where tiiey escape the degradation to which 
they are exposed here. Of their improve- 
ment m morals, and manners, and habits, 
the testimony of Capt.-. Sliernian, Kennedy, 
Nicholson, and Abels, &c. from wiiich 1 
have made large quotations in the j)reced- 
ing pages, precludes all doubt. It may be 
confidently stated, that none of the American 
ciilonies miuie greater advances in the same 
.space of time than they have done in tlie 
eight years that liave elapsed since the es- 



tablishment of order and good government 
in 1824. The contrast between the Colo- 
nists of Liberia and the people of tlie Uni- 
ted States, is not so great as between the 
inhabitants of Great Britain at present, and 
those in olden times, when tiie latter paint- 
ed their bodies, had no chimnies to tlieir 
houses, lay upon straw on the ground, cov- 
ered themselves W"ith skins fastened with 
skewers, and were tenants in common with 
the pigs which partook of the hospitality of 
their liouses. 

Hannibal, Hanno, and Jugurtha, all great 
warriors — the first equal to any in the an- 
cient world, were Atiucans. Terence, the 
dramatist, was also an African. 

" By the same process, by which the colonization 
of the coast tends to the suppression of the slave trade, 
it promotes the civilization of the iTilerior of the conti- 
nent (f Africa. This is a topic, which, as it seems 
to me, has not received its share of consideration. 
Of this mighty continent, four times as large as Eu- 
rope, one third part at kast, is wilhin the direct reach 
of injiuenccs, from the west (f Europe and America, 
— iulluences, which, for three hundred years, have 
been employed through the agency of the slave 
trade, to depress and barbarize it ; to chain it down 
to the lowest point of social degradation. I trust 
these influences are now to be employed in repair- 
ing the wrongs, in healing the wounds, in gradually 
improving the condition of Africa. I trust that a 
great reaction is at hand. Can it be believed that 
this mighty region, most of it overflov\ing with tro- 
pical abundance, was created and destined for eter- 
nal barbarity? Is it possible, in the present state 
of the public sentiment of the world, with the pre- 
sent rapid diffusion of knowledge, — with the pre- 
sent reduction of antiquated errors to the test ol 
reason, that such a quarter of the world will be per- 
mitted to derive nothing but barbarianism, ii-om in- 
tercourse with the countries which stand at the head 
of civilization ? It is not possible. 

" I know it is said, that it is impossible to civilize 
Africa. Why ? Why is it impossible to civilize man 
m one part of the earth more than in another ! Con- 
sult historj'. \Vas Italy — uas Greece, the cradle of 
civilization ? JNo. As lar back as the lights of tra- 
dition reach, Africa was the cradle of science, white 
Syria, and Greece, and Italy, were yet covered with, 
darkness. As far back as we can trace the first ru- 
diments of improvement, they came from the very 
head waters of the Ps'ile, far in the interior of Africa : 
and there are yet to be found, in shapeless ruins, 
the monumenis of this primeval civilization. To 
como down to a much later period, while the wcs 
and north of Europe trere yet hnrliaroiis. the Mtditei - 
ranean coast of Africa was fllid with cities, acadi ■ 
mies, min'piims, chcrches, and a hifihly ciiilizcd poj)u- 
latiou. What has raised the Caul, the Belgium, the 
Germrinv, the Scandinavia, thr Britain of ancient 
geography, to tlieir present improved and improving 
condition ? Africa is not now sunk lower, than most 
of these countries were eighteen centuries ago; and 
the engines of social influence are incrrased a thou- 
sand ibid in numlicrs and cflicacy. It is not elph- 
Iccn hundred vears, since Scotland, whose nutro- 
l>ohs has been called the Alhensof niodcni Europe, 
tlio country of Hume, of Smith, of Kobcrtson. of 
Blair, of Stewart, of Brown. ol'Jeflrcy, of ( 'bidnicrs, 
of Scoti, of Bro'ipliain, w;i.-i a wilderness, jnli>stcd 
by iiainted savages. It is not a thousand years, 
since ihe norlhof Germany, now filled willi beauti- 
ful cities, learned universities, and the best educa- 
ted (wpulatioii in the world, was a dreary, pathless 
forest." — /•.". Everett. ,, 

Christianity and jBv^zatioiijfc'ere early in 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



81 



troduced into A&ica. There were several 
provincial councils held there. At one of 
them, held in Carthag'e, in 397, the canon of 
the Roman Catholic Bible was settled. Ano- 
ther was held hi t!ie same place m 410 — 
and two others at Milevi. In the fiftii cen- 
tury, the nuniber of Catholic bishops in Africa, 
was tour hundred. Origen, TertuUian, Cy- 
prian, and Augustine, among the great lights 



of Christianity in their day, were Africans. 
And it is not too much to expect that future 
Hannibals, and Terences, and Cyprians, and 
Augustines will arise, to defend and illumi- 
nate that now benighted country. Should 
such a result take place, the merit will, in a 
great degree belong to the illustrious founders 
of the Colonization Society. 
Philadelphia, May 10, 1832. 



APPENDIX. 



hatter from the Hon. James Madison, to the Secre- 
tary of the Society, the Rev. R. R, Gurley. 
" MoNTPELiER, December 29, 1831. 

" Drar Sir — I received, in due time, your letter 
of the 21st ult. and vvitli due sensibility to the sub- 
ject of it. Such, however, has been the effect of a 
painful rheumatism on my general condirioii, as 
well as in disci ualitying my lingers for the use of the 
pen, that I could not do justice "to the pr-nciples 
and measures of the Colonization Society, in all the 
great and various relations they sustain to c-jr own 
country and to Africa," if my views of them could 
have the value which your partiality supposes. I 
may observe, in brief, that the Society had always 
my good wishes, though with hopes of its success 
less sanguine than were entertained by others, 
found to have been the better judges ; and, that I 
feel the greatest pleasure at the progress already 
made by the Societj', and the encouragement to en- 
counter remaining difficulties, afforded by the ear- 
lier and greater ones already overcome. Many cir- 
cumstances, at the present moment, seem to concur 
m brightening the prospects of the Societ)-, and 
cherishing the hope that the time will come, when 
the dreadful calami^y, which has so long afflicted 
our country, and filled so many with despair, will 
be gradually removed, and by means consistent 
with justice, peace, and the general satisfaction: 
thus giving to our countrj' the full enjoyment of the 
blessings of liberty, and to the world the full bene- 
fit of its great example. I never considered the 
main difficulty of the great work, as lying in the de- 
ficiency of emancipations, but in an inadequacy of 
asylums for such a growing mass of population, and 
in the great expense of removing it to its new home. 
The spirit of private manumissjons, as the laws may 
; permit, and the exiles may consent, is increa-sing 
and will increase ; and there are sufficient indica- 
tions that the public authorities in slave-holding 
|Btates, are looking forward to interpositions in ilif- 
"erent Cox-.tih that must have a powerful effect. 
tVith respect to the new abode for the emigrants, 
11 agree, that the cho'ce i.iade by the Society, is 
rendered peculiarly appropriate by considerations 
which need not be repeated ; and if other situations 
should not be found eligible receptacles for a por- 
tion of them, the prospects in Africa seem to be ex- 
panding in a highly encouraging degree. 

" In contemplating the pecuniary resources needed 
fir the removal of such a number to so great a dis- 
tance, mv thoughts and hopes have been long turned 
to the rich fund iireseiited in the western lands of 
the nation, which will soon entireV cease to be un- 
der a pledge for another objoct. The great one in 
question is trulv of a national character, and it is 
knowni ftiat distinguished patriots, not dwelling in 
slave-hoUling states have viewed the object in that 
light, and would be willing to let the iiational do- 
main be a resource in eflecting it. 

" Should it be remarked, that the states, though 
all may be interested in relieving our country from . 
the coloured population, are not all equally so ; it j 



is but fair to recoUect, that the sections most to be 
benefited, are those whose cessions created the 
fund to be disposed of 

" I am aware of the constitutional obstacle which 
has presented itself; but if the general will be re- 
conciled to an application of the territorial fund to 
the removal of the coloured population, a grant to 
(-ongress of the necessary authority could be car- 
ried, with little delay, through the forms of the con- 
stitution. 

'* Sincerely wishing an increasing success to the 
labours of the Society, 1 pray you to he assured of 
my esteem, and to accept my friendly salutation. 
JAMES MADISON." 



Extract of a letter from the Hon. John Marshall, 
Chief Justice of the United Slates, dated Rich- 
mond, December 14, 1831. 

" The great object of the Society, I presume, is to 
obtain pecuniary' aids. Application will undoubt- 
edly be made, I hope successfully, to the several 
Stale Legislatures, by the societies formed within 
them respectively. It is exUemely desirable that 
they should pass permanent laws on the subject : 
and the excitement produced by the late insurrec- 
tion, makes this a favourable moment for the friends 
of the Colony to press for such acts. It would be 
also desirable, if such a direction could be given to 
state legislation, as might have some tendency to 
incline the people of colour to migrate. This, how- 
ever, is a subject of much delicacy. Whatever may 
be the success of our endeavours to obtain acts for 
permanent aids. 1 have no doubt that our applica- 
tions for immediate contribution.s, will receive at- 
tention. It is possible, though not probable, that 
more people of colour may be disposed to migrate 
than can be provided for, with the fund the Society 
may be enabled to command. Under fnis impres- 
sion 1 suggested, .some years past, to one or two of 
the Board of Managers, to allow a small additional 
bounty in lands, to those who would pay their own 
passage in whole or in part. The suggestion, how- 
ever, was not approved. 

" It is undoubtedly of great importance to retain 
the countenance and protection of the general go- 
vernment. Some of our cruizTS stationed on the 
coast of Africa would, af 'he same time, interrupt the 
slave trade — a horrid Ir'ijfic, defesfed bt/ all good men, 
and would protect the vessels and commerce of the 
colony from pirates vho infest those seas. Tlie 
power of the government to afford this aid, is not, I 
believe, contested. 1 regret that its fx)wer to grant 
pecuniary aid, is not equally free from question. On 
this subject, I have always'thonght, .and still think, 
that the proposition made by Mr. King, in the Se- 
nate, is the mo.st unexceptionable, and the most ef- 
fective that can be devised. 

" The fund would probably operate as rapidly as 
would be desirable, when we take into view the 
other resources which might come in aid of it; and 
its application would be, perhaps, less exposed to 



32 



LETTERS, &c. 



those constitutional objections which are made in 
the south, than the application of money drawn 
from the treasury and raised by taxes. The lands 
are the property of the United States, and have 
heretofore been disposed of by the government, un- 
der the idea of absolute ownership." 



THE AFllICAN CHIEF ENSLAVED. 

BY W. C. BriY.\NT. 

Chain'd to the market place he stood, 

A man of giant frame; 
Amid the gathering multitude, 

Thut shrunk to hear his name. — 
All stern of look, and strong of limb, 

His dark eye on the ground ; 
And silently they gaz'd on him, 

As on a lion bound. 

Vainly, but well, that chief had fought. 

He was a captive now : 
Yet pride, that tijrtune humbles not 

Wag written on his brow. 
The scars his dark broad bosom wore, 

Show'd warrior true and brave ; 
A prince among his tribe before, 

He coidd not be a slave. 

Tlien, to his conqueror he spake — 

" My brother is a king; 
" Undo this necklace from my neck, 

" And take this bracelet ring : 
«• And send me where my brother reigns, 

" And I will fill thy hands 
" With stores of ivory from the plains, 

" And gold-dust from the sands." 

" Not for thy ivory, or thy gold 

" Will I unbind thy chain ; 
" That bloody hand shall never hold 

" The battle spear again ! 
" A price, thy nation never gave, 

" Shall yet be paid for thee ; 
" And thou shalt be the Christian's slave, 

" In lands beyond the sea." 

Then wept the warrior chief: and bade 

To shred his locks away ; 
And one by one, each heavy braid 

Before the warrior lay. 
Thick were the plaited locks, and long, 

And deftly hidden there, 
Shone many a wedge of gold, among 

The dark and crisped hair. 

" Ijxik'. feast thy greedy eyes with gold, 

" Long kept for sorest need : 
Take it — thou askcst sums untold, 

" And say that I am freed : 
. Take it—my wife, the long, long day 

" Weeps by the cocoa tree, 
"And my yoimg children leave their play, 

" And ask in vain for me." 

" I fflke thy gold — but 1 have made 

•■ Thv fellers lixst and strong ; 
' And wcfii, that by the cocoa shade 

"Thy wife shall wait lliec long." 
Strong was the agony lluit shook 

The captive's franie, to hear — 
And the proud meaning of his look. 

Was chang'd to mortal fear. 

His heart was l)r<)ken — craz'd his brain, 
At once iiis eyes grew wild ; 

He struggled fiercely witli his chain. 
TVhimper'd, and wept, and smil'd ; 



Yet wore not long those fatal bands ; 

And once, at close of day, 
They drew him forth upon the sands. 

The foul hyena"s prey. 



DEATH OF ASHMUN. 

BY MRS. SIGOriR.VEY. 

Wliose is yon sable bier? 

Why move the throng so slow? 
Why doth that lonely mother's tear. 

In sudden anguish flow ? 
Why is that sleeper laid 

To rest, in manhood's pride ? 
How gain'd his cheek such pallid shade T- 

I spake — but none replied. 

The hoarse wave murmnr'd low. 

The distant surges roar'd — 
And o'er the sea, in tones of woe, 

A deep response was 5X)iir'd 
I heard sad Afric mourn. 

Upon her billowv strand ; 
A shield was from her bosom torn. 

An anchor from her hand. 

Ah! well I know thee now. 

Though foreign suns would trace 
Deep lines of death upon thy brow — 

Thou friend of miserj^'s race ; 
Their leader, when the blast 

Of ruthless war swept by; 
Their teacher, when the storm was past. 

Their guide to worlds on high. 

But o'er the lowlv tomb. 

Where thy soul's idol lay, 
I saw thee rise above the gloom. 

And hold thy changeless way. 
Stern sickness woke a flame, 

That on thy vigour fed — 
But deathless courage nerv'd the Iramc, 

When health and strength had fled. 

Spirit of power — pass on ! 

Thy homeward wing is free ; 
Earth luay not cltiim thee for her son — 

She hath no chain for thee : 
Toil might not bow thee down, 

Nor sorrow check thv race — 
Nor pleasure win thy birthright crown, — 

Go to thy honour'd place ! 



• 



LIBERIA.— BY THE SAME. 

Winds ! what have ye gather'd from Afric's strand, 
As ye swept the breadth of that. fragrant land? 
The breath of the spice-bud— the rich perfume 
Of balm, and of gum. and of flow'ret's bloom? 
" We have gather'd nought but the heathen's pray'r, 
" And the hopeless sigh of the heart's despair." 

Waves ! what have ye heard on that ancient coast. 
Where Ecypt the might of her fame di<l boast? 
Wlicro the statue of Memnon saluted the mom, 
And the pyramids tow'r in their giant scorn ? 
" We have heard the curse of the slave-ship s crew, 
" And the shriek of the chain'd, a.s the shores with- 
drew." 

Stars! what have ye seen with the glancing eye, 

From vour buriiiiia: thrones in the sapi)hire skv? 

" We have niark'd a g>-in, as it briiilnlv glow'd ^ 

"Oil Afric's breast, whence the blood-drop flow d ; 

" Pure light it shed on the drear\' sod, 

" Like the mv'stic stones of the priest of God ; 

" And we chauntcd that hymn which we sang al 

" When the sun from the midnight of chaos buret" 
Hartford, Con. 



" We may boldly challenge the annals of human nature, for the record of any human plan, for 
the melioration of the condition or advancement of the happiness of our race, which promised 
more unmixed good, or more comprehensive beneficence than that of African colonization, if car- 
ried into full execution. Its benevolent purpose is not limited by the confines of one continent, 
nor to the prosperity of a solitary race ; but embraces two of the largest quarters of the earth, and 
the peace and the happiness of both of the descriptions of their present inhabitant"*, with the 
countless millions of their posterity who are to succeed. It appeals for aid and support to tbe 
friends of liberty, here and elsewhere. The colonists, reared in the bosom of this republic, with 
a perfect knowledge of all the blessings which freedom imparts, although they have not always 
been able themselves to share them, wilt carry a recollection of it to Africa, plant it there, and 
spread it over her boundless territory. And may we not indulge the hope, that, in a period of 
time, not surpassing in duration that of our own colonial and national existence, we shall behold 
a confederation of republican states, on the western shores of Africa, like our own, with their con- 
gress and annual legislatures, thundering forth in behalf of the rights of man, and making tyrants 
tremble on their thrones 1" — JMr. Clay. 

" It will enable them to become a free, independent, civilized, and Christian nation in the land 
of their forefathers. Elevated in character, and in full enjoyment of the rights of man, they will 
not only assume a station in the great human family, which it is impossible for them to attain in 
this country ; but their example and influence will gradually extend over those numerous tribes, 
which, through all time, have remained in a state of barbarism and degradation, and cruelly sub- 
jected to slavery by surrounding and distant nations." — Dearborn. 

" They point to Africa, sitting beneath her own palm trees, ' clothed in sackcloth, and weep- 
ing for her children, and refusing to be comforted,' because they have been murdered on her de- 
solated shores, and buried beneath the billows of the ocean, and carried into hopeless and inter- 
minable slavery. Wretched Africa ! she has indeed fallen among thieves, who have robbed and 
wounded her, and she is now bleeding from a thousand wounds. Who -will act to her the part 
of a good Samaritan ? Who will ' bind up her wounds, and pour into them ivine and oil' 
and protect her from her enemies, and chase away those human vultures, that are perpetually ho- 
vering on her coasts, and feeding on the flesh and blood of her children 1 Who will light for 
her the lamp of science, and publish the glad tidings of salvation to her sons and daughters? 
and raise her from that state of moral degradation, into which she has sunk in the lapse of ages ]" 
— JM' Kinney, 

" There is not, we believe, another benevolent enterprise on earth, so well calculated to secure 
the favourable opinion, and enlist the herrty good will of all men, as this, when its objects and 
bearings are fully understood. In relation to this society, it is eminently the fact, that opposition 
and indifference have their origin in prejudice or want of information. Ignorance may raise an 
objection which it requires knowledge to remove ; and to rest one's refusal to co-operate in what 
he is told is a good work, on his own ignorance, is both weak and wicked. Especially in relation 
to a benevolent enterprise of such magnitude as this, and which has been some ten or fifteen 
years before the public, the plea of ignorance is made with a very ill grace. 

" Is a nation like this, to be embarrassed by an annual appropriation of little more than a mil- 
lion of dollars to the cause of humanity 1 A nation, that can extinguish in a year, twelve mil- 
lions of national debt, and at the same time prosecute with vigour its majestic plans of defence 
and internal improvement 1 A nation, one of whose states can hazard six millions of dollars on 
the project of opening a canal 1 — a nation, whose canvass whitens every sea, and proudly en- 
ters almost every harbour of the globe ] — a nation, whose villages and cities are rising, as by ma- 
gic, over a fertile territory of two millions of square miles 1 — a nation, destined, within the com- 
pass of the passing century, to embosom a white population of eighty millions 1 With the past 
smiles of Divine Providence, our national debt will be soon annihilated. And from that glad 
hour, let the government provide liberally for all its necessary operations — let it push forward in 
its splendid machinery of political improvement, and then give to our cause but the surplus of its 
revenue : and as regards the expense of transportation, it ivill \_at no distant day] furnish the 
means of g-ranting to every Jlfrican exile among us, a happy home in the land of his fathers." 
->~Jtev. B. Dickinson. 

" Every emigrant to Africa is a missionary, carrying with him credentials in the holy cause of 
civilization, religion, and free institutions." — Clay. 

" We know of no cause in which the lovers of mankind, the patriot, and the Christian, can 
embark, with surer, and more brilliant prospects of success, than in the cause of the colonization 
of o'lr free blacks on the coast of Africa. The philanthropist and the Christian may lind in that 
section of Africa, in which this infant colony is located, fifty millions of immortal beings, as wild 
as the forests they inhabit — where the Slave Trade sweeps annually into captivity its unnum- 
bered thousands — where all the horrors of savage warfare are perpetual. In this benighted land, 
a beacon fire is now blazing, which mUst eventually dispel the gloom of paganism, and make her 
deserts glad with the sentiments of a better nature." — J'olitical Clarion. 

"To the lasting honour of the American Colonization Society, it has founded a new empire on 
that continent, of which the basis is Christianity, intelligence, and rational liberty ; has conducted 
it happily through the jicrilous stages of its inc('i)tion and early growth; — has seen its members 
in thi! lull i)i)ssession of the means of ac<iuiring the comforts of life, and sustaining, against any 
aniicipated opjjosition, the stand to which they are advanced- * * * The Society bus dcjinonstrated, 
experimentally, to the world, the souiuliu'ss of the views with which they a;:|ieared before it in 
1810-17, without funds, patronage, or a precedent in the annals of the human race." — ^shmun. 









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